Description

We're building a world of health around every individual - shaping a more connected, convenient and compassionate health experience. At CVS Health®, you'll be surrounded by passionate colleagues who care deeply, innovate with purpose, hold ourselves accountable and prioritize safety and quality in everything we do. Join us and be part of something bigger - helping to simplify health care one person, one family and one community at a time.

The Aetna Better Health of Maryland (ABHMD) Director of Medicaid Regulatory Affairs plays a key role on ABHMD leadership team and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH).

The Director of Medicaid Regulatory Affairs serves as the ABHMD Government Liaison. The Director of Regulatory Affairs will work in close partnership with the CEO, ABHMD Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and all matrixed shared service partners to effectively sustain and grow ABHMD membership and ensure the operating efficiency and financial strength of the program. The Director will be the primary senior leader responsible for ongoing program communications and coordination with MDH on behalf of ABHMD.

This role is the primary bridge between the health plan and government entities like the Maryland Department of Health, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and, acts as the right hand to the Aetna Better Health of Maryland CEO, while focusing on internal execution and external strategic alignment, while also focusing internally on keeping the Aetna Better Health of Maryland's operations aligned and running to secure the plan's licensing, navigate policy changes, and maintain the Plan's MCO contract.

Specific Duties:

• Compliance & Policy: Interprets and implements complex Medicaid regulations and ensures the Aetna Better Health of Maryland adheres to them.
• Government Relations: Serves as the key liaison to state and federal regulators, managing filings, audits, and policy negotiations while supplying regulatory updates to plan leadership on all State and Federal rulemaking and contract communications.
• Risk Mitigation: Identifies upcoming regulatory shifts and develops organizational strategies to adapt without service interruption.
• Strategic Planning: Translates the CEO's vision, State and Federal regulatory requirements into actionable, day-to-day goals for the Aetna Better Health of Maryland health plan departments.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Coordinates initiatives across different departments (e.g., Clinical, Finance, Provider Relations, and Legal).
• Executive Operations: Under the direction of the CEO, manages high-priority projects and acts as an advisor and gatekeeper for the Aetna Better Health of Maryland executive team.
• State Contract Implementation, Management and Oversight: Develops and manages project plans to implement State contract amendments, fields, and coordinates responses to State inquiries and participates in state meetings, summarizes results and action items.
• New initiatives and vendor approvals: Prepares all state filings on innovative programs/vendors for State submission and approval.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years in Medicaid managed care contracting, compliance, or regulatory affairs
• Knowledge of Maryland legislative, administrative, and regulatory processes.
• Experience with relevant stakeholders including the Maryland Department of Health for Medicaid Services and Maryland medical provider community
• Maryland Medicaid (HealthChoice) regulatory experience
• Strong analytical skills and diligence, including interpreting and executing regulatory and contractual language.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong political acumen with ability to effectively interact with State partners.
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Understanding of health plan operations, including contracting, claims processing, encounter data processing, and Medicaid eligibility and enrollment.
• Experience navigating a matrixed organization.
• Experience developing and executing project plans and processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• We support a hybrid work environment. If selected and you live near a suitable work location, you may be expected to comply with the hybrid work policy. Under the policy, all hires for in-scope populations should be placed into a hybrid or office-based location, working onsite three days a week. Aetna Service Operations office/hub locations will be discussed with the selected candidate

Education

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience

Pay Range

The typical pay range for this role is:

$100,000.00 - $231,540.00

This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors. This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above. This position also includes an award target in the company's equity award program.

Our people fuel our future. Our teams reflect the customers, patients, members and communities we serve and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every colleague feels valued and that they belong.

Great benefits for great people

We take pride in offering a comprehensive and competitive mix of pay and benefits that reflects our commitment to our colleagues and their families.

This full‑time position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, emotional, and financial well‑being of colleagues and their families. The benefits for this position include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, retirement savings options, wellness programs, and other resources, based on eligibility.

Additional details about available benefits are provided during the application process and on Benefits Moments.

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on: 05/28/2026

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state and local laws.