Lead Analyst, Payment Integrity

Job Description Job Summary Provides lead level support as a highly capable business analyst who serves as a key strategic partner in driving health plan financial performance. This role focuses on identifying and executing operational initiatives tied to Payment Integrity (PI) and provider claims accuracy. The individual will be relied upon to make independent, informed decisions, contribute to health plan strategy, and act as a trusted voice in resolving complex business challenges that impact cost containment and regulatory compliance. The position requires strong business judgment, cross-functional coordination, and shared ownership of high-value deliverables—distinct from a pure data analyst role. Job Duties Business Leadership & Operational Ownership Assists and executes tasks and projects to ensure Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and State regulatory requirements are met for Pre-pay Edits, Overpayment Recovery which improves encounter submissions, reduces General and Administrative expenses (G&A) costs, and continues to drive positive operational and financial outcomes for all PI solutions. Manages Scorable Action Items (SAIs) related to pre-pay editing, post-pay audit, and overpayment recovery initiatives to ensure Health Plan SAI targets are met. Leads efforts to improve claim payment accuracy and financial performance without needing extensive oversight. Collaborates with operational teams, enterprise stakeholders, and finance partners to proactively identify issues and implement resolution strategies. Serves as a thought partner to health plan leadership and provides well-reasoned recommendations that support short- and long-term business goals. Partners with Network to communicate recovery projects so that provider relations can be informed and respond to questions from providers. Strategic Business Analysis Uses a business lens to ensure accurate interpretation of provider claims trends, payment integrity issues, and process gaps. Applies understanding of healthcare regulations, managed care claims workflows, and provider reimbursement models to shape recommendations and action plans. Translates strategic needs into clear requirements, workflows, and solutions that drive measurable improvement. Partners with finance and compliance to develop business cases and support reporting that ties operational outcomes to financial targets. Applied Analytical Support Uses Excel and Structured Query Language (SQL) as tools to support business analysis, not as the core function of the role. Validates findings and tests assumptions through data, but leads with contextual knowledge of claims processing, provider contracts, and operational realities. Creates succinct summaries and visualizations that enable faster decision-making by leadership—not raw data exploration. Job Qualifications REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: At least 6 years of experience as a Business Analyst or Program Manager in a Managed Care Organization (MCO) or health plan setting, including experience in Medicaid and/or Medicare, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience Proven experience owning operational projects from concept to execution, especially in the areas of provider reimbursement and claims payment integrity. Strong working knowledge of managed care claims coding (Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), Revenue Codes), and federal/state Medicaid payment rules. Skilled in Excel and SQL, with the ability to analyze data to inform business decisions—but not dependent on technical guidance for action. Demonstrated ability to work independently and apply business judgment in a highly regulated, cross-functional environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills including ability to synthesize complex information. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Experience with Medicare, Medicaid, and Marketplace lines of business. Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP), or Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) certification. Project Management Experience Familiarity with Medicaid-specific Scorable Action Items (SAIs), Operational Cost Management Efforts, Payment Integrity programs, and regulatory/compliance adherence. To all current Molina employees:If you are interested in applying for this position, please apply through the intranet job listing. Molina Healthcare offers a competitive benefits and compensation package. Molina Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/D/V. Pay Range:$77,969 - $155,508 / ANNUAL • Actual compensation may vary from posting based on geographic location, work experience, education and/or skill level.