About the Association of Washington Healthcare Plans 

The Association of Washington Healthcare Plans (AWHP) represents all major medical health carriers in Washington State, all carriers offering coverage through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, and all carriers holding Medicaid Managed Care Organization contracts with the state Health Care Authority. AWHP health plans cover over 6.9 million Washingtonians.

AWHP is the voice of the carrier community about common concerns, providing information and analysis from the carriers’ perspective to public policy makers and regulators, and supporting solutions for the complex health care issues confronting our state.  Health plans work to make health care more affordable by negotiating payments to doctors and hospitals, and guiding patients to the right care at the right time. AWHP was formed 22 years ago by insurance carriers to advocate for a stable individual insurance market, and we have continued that work for decades on behalf of all Washington insurance markets.

Making insurance affordable makes it easier for our covered to access high quality care.  A stable market supports affordability.

Carriers help our members pay for healthcare. The affordability of insurance matters to us, and we carefully monitor legislative and regulatory proposals for their impact on insurance premiums and healthcare costs.

During the 2020 Legislative Session, AWHP will continue to champion:

• Keeping individual and small group markets stable
• Managing health care costs
• Increasing access to healthcare in rural areas
• Understanding what drives cost of care

About the Position

The Executive Director leads the Association, manages the overall activities of the association and represents the perspectives of member healthcare plans on public policy issues related to healthcare and healthcare coverage in Washington State. In conjunction with Member Plans, the Executive Director develops and advocates for policy positions, and works with other stakeholders on legislative and regulatory issues. 

The Executive Director reports directly to the Chair of AWHP and maintains accountability to the AWHP Board Officers.

Essential Functions Include:

• Leads the association and oversees its administration and activities.
• Develops and manages an annual budget and dues assessment, including Member Plan billing and financial updates, maintaining files and records, including those required by state and federal law, and making filings with the Internal Revenue Service, the Secretary of State, and the Public Disclosure Commission.
• Coordinates AWHP Board meetings and develops associated materials.
• Facilitates communications between healthcare plan industry and state agencies and legislature, both formally and informally, through written communications and facilitating meetings between health plans and state agencies, such as the Governor’s office, the Health Care Authority, the Office of Financial Management and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
• Represents the interests of the healthcare plan industry by serving on the Board of Directors for the Washington Healthcare Forum, as well as representing the association to a variety of audiences including legislators and staff, state regulatory and administrative agencies, Governor’s office, other trade and professional organizations, provider groups, the media, and the general public. Provides assistance to legislators and the public to help resolve concerns about the Member Plans.
• Pursues additional funding sources for AWHP, focusing on the value the organization provides to both health plans and the community as a whole.
• Coordinates, facilitates, and makes recommendations regarding AWHP initiatives that may include but are not limited to Member Plan surveys, drafting of policy position papers, presentations and other information, attending and or participating at conferences, seminars, and legislative events.
• Works with Member Plan lobbyists, regulatory staff, and state programs staff to further AWHP’s interests, and identifies areas of consensus and conflict among Members Plans and works towards facilitating communications and development of a common position. Reviews with the Legislative Committee, Regulatory Committee, and Medicaid Plans Committees, all bills, regulatory matters, and state program activities of interest to AWHP.
• Testifies before legislative committees and regulatory bodies to represent AWHP positions on legislation, regulatory proposals or to inform legislators or regulators on specific issues.

The Ideal Candidate

AWHP seeks a seasoned leader who is deeply committed to the success of the AWHP and is a strategic leader who is capable of overseeing the successful function of the organization as a whole. The ideal candidate will be an accomplished professional who exhibits a high level of transparency, diplomacy, and professionalism.

The ideal candidate is a creative, innovative team player who can work effectively with AWHP’s Board of Directors and Member Plans and policymakers; and Legislature; bring an entrepreneurial spirit and be committed to supporting the best interests of the AWHP. Honesty and integrity are critical.

This position requires someone who is politically savvy, comfortable seeking and receiving input from the Member Plans and adept at working with the media.

The Executive Director must have demonstrated leadership skills as the ability to successfully run an organization and set a standard by engaging people at all levels. For this important role the Board seeks a dynamic, highly credible, unifying leader who is deeply committed to the success of the industry.

Desirable Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years professional work experience in the healthcare or health insurance field. A master’s degree is a plus. Preference will be given for experience in healthcare advocacy. Candidates must have strong written and verbal communication skills; the ability to work effectively with diverse groups of stakeholders; integrity, a positive attitude, self-directed; and the ability to establish and maintain a home office.

Compensation

The Executive Director’s starting salary depends on experience and qualifications. Total compensation is competitive.

Application Process

Persons interested in this position must submit a cover letter and a current resume.

If you have questions regarding this announcement, please call Marissa Karras at 360-956-1336. The position will remain open until filled; however, the screening process will move quickly. Please submit your application materials at www.karrasconsulting.net as soon as possible but no later than November 22, 2019.

The AWHP is an equal opportunity employer, values workplace diversity and seeks to create an environment and culture that embraces employee differences. All qualified applicants are considered in accordance with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, marital status or veteran status or any other legally protected status. We will provide assistance in the recruitment, application and selection process to applicants with disabilities who request such assistance.