Medical Economics Analyst, Health Plan

Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland.

Work Shift:

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Compensation:

Salary Range: $29.00 - $46.50

Union Position:

No

Department Details

Summary

The Medical Health Economics Analyst uses data analysis to identify medical cost trends, evaluate financial performance, and provide actionable insights to support strategic business decisions. This role is vital for cost containment and improving plan performance.

Job Description

Analyze complex medical claims, pharmacy data, and other healthcare data sets to identify emerging cost and utilization trends, patterns, and outliers. Develop financial models to evaluate the financial impact of new clinical programs, new initiatives, and value-based agreements. Identify opportunities for medical cost reduction, quantify potential savings, and measure the return on investment (ROI) of implemented initiatives. Create clear, concise reports, dashboards, and presentations using data visualization tools to communicate complex findings and actionable insights to a variety of stakeholders, including senior management and clinical departments. Work closely with accounting, actuarial, underwriting, clinical, health services delivery and network management teams to provide analytical support for decision-making and strategic planning, such as informing payer negotiations and risk adjustment strategies. Ensure the accuracy and integrity of data used in analyses, and prepare well-organized project documentation including methodologies and key decision points. Respond to ad-hoc data analysis requests from various departments, providing timely intelligence related to specific business problems.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Statistics, Finance, Public Health, Mathematics, Actuarial Science, Data Analytics or related quantitative discipline required.

1-3 years of progressive analytical experience in a healthcare setting (health insurance, managed care, or health system) is required.

Knowledge of STARs and Risk Adjustment preferred.

Strong analytical, problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills are vital for success in this role.

Proficiency in SQL for data extraction and manipulation is a must.

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables and complex formulas, are essential.

Experience with data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI is highly valued. Familiarity with statistical tools such as SAS, R, or Python is often a plus.

Sanford is an EEO/AA Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-877-949-5678 or send an email to talent@sanfordhealth.org.

The Sanford organization owns and manages multiple distinct brands, including Sanford Health, Marshfield Clinic, and Good Samaritan, as well as Lewis Drug, Sanford Health Equip, Solutions by Sanford, Great Shots, and Blue Rock Bar & Grill.

About Sanford Health

Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization has 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 health plan members across the upper Midwest including South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The integrated nonprofit health system includes a network of 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. Learn more about Sanford Health’s commitment to shaping the future of rural health care across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.

About Good Samaritan

Good Samaritan, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit providers of senior care and services, is committed to transforming the aging experience through innovation, compassion and personalized care. As part of Sanford Health, an integrated nonprofit health system headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Good Samaritan serves 10,000 seniors and offers access to a full continuum of care, including 94 rehabilitation and skilled nursing centers, 56 assisted living and memory care facilities, 44 independent living locations and 37 home health and hospice agencies. The senior care provider delivers services across the upper Midwest, with 70% of residents living in rural communities. Learn more about Good Samaritan’s mission and commitment to delivering high quality senior care in rural America at good-sam.com.