Health Insurance Specialist (GS-7/9)

Summary

We are looking to fill Health Insurance Specialist, GS-0107-7/9, positions in the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Click on "Learn more about this agency" for more details! What is a Health Insurance Specialist (HIS)? At CMS, an HIS can wear many hats. This series typically works with health insurance policy development, research, analysis, and program development. NOTE: The announcement closing date has changed to 11/6/26.

Duties

Resolve health insurance program issues by conducting research on the problem area, analyzing the results, and making recommendations to management to resolve any problem areas. Engage with senior analysts and management in reviewing, analyzing, and developing program documents. Review, evaluate, and analyze health insurance programs for efficiency and effectiveness. Review draft regulations and responses to CMS' proposed regulations. Assist with the administration of health insurance program audits.

Qualifications

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: You must be ELIGIBLE and QUALIFIED in order to be referred to Hiring Managers. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Am I considered a Recent Graduate? GPA Requirement: You must possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on the unweighted 4.0 scale upon completion of your academic degree or certificate program. (GPA 2.95 is rounded to 3.0, and 2.94 is rounded to 2.9.) To be eligible as a Recent Graduate: Individuals who, within the previous 2 years, completed a qualifying associate's, bachelor's, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. Therefore, you must have completed your educational program no earlier than November 5, 2024. Veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation, begin their 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for veterans cannot exceed 6 years from the date on which they completed their degrees (or certification). Therefore, veterans must have completed your educational program no earlier than November 5, 2020. To verify your eligibility as a Recent Graduate, you must submit the following at the time of application: A copy of your unofficial transcripts from the educational institution you attended attesting to your possession of the required education. Your unofficial transcripts must reflect: (1) your name; (2) overall grade point average (GPA); and (3) Degree Type (e.g., Bachelor's, Master's, etc.) and Degree Major; AND (4) the date your Degree was conferred. Failure to submit proof of degree/certificate completion at the time of application will result in the withdrawal of your application from consideration for this position. To be eligible as a Degree Candidate for Fall 2026: Individuals who are degree candidates for this current semester/term, i.e., Fall 2026, scheduled to complete a qualifying Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate, professional, vocational, or technical degree or certificate program, AND the degree/certificate has not been conferred at the time of application. To verify your eligibility as a Degree Candidate for Fall 2026, you must submit the following at the time of application: A copy of your unofficial transcripts from the educational institution you attended attesting to your education completed to date. Your unofficial transcripts must reflect: (1) your name; (2) overall grade point average (GPA); (3) current enrollment; AND (4) Degree Type (e.g., Bachelor's, Master's, etc.) and Degree Major. If referred and selected, you must submit an additional unofficial transcript that confirms the date your degree was conferred before an Official Offer can be made. Degree must be conferred by January 31, 2027. Failure to submit proof of degree/certificate completion will result in the withdrawal of your application from consideration for this position. Note: For those applying as Degree Candidates for Fall 2026, you will be required to submit an additional transcript that confirms the above major or course requirements and the date your degree was conferred. Degree requirements must be completed during the Fall 2026 semester, and the degree must be conferred by January 31, 2027. Failure to submit proof of degree/certificate completion will result in the withdrawal of your application from consideration for this position. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Do I qualify for the GS-07 or GS-09 Grade Level? In order to qualify for the GS-07, you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one year (52 weeks) of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal government, obtained in either the private or public sector, to include: 1) Assisting in performing routine analytical studies; and 2)Preparing written materials (e.g., position papers, briefing materials, procedures) for senior staff. - OR - Substitution of Education for Experience: You may substitute education for specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level by possessing at least one full year of graduate-level education. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended - OR - Superior Academic Achievement: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university AND one of the following provisions of superior academic achievement: A grade-point average of "B" (3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale) for all completed undergraduate courses or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. For example, 2.95 is rounded to 3.0, and 2.94 is rounded to 2.9. A grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all required courses completed in your major field of study, or those required courses in your major completed in the last two years of your undergraduate study. Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision. Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. - OR - Combination of Experience and Education: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements at the GS-07 grade level. The percentage of your total qualifying experience the education must equal to 100% to qualify for this grade. In order to qualify for the GS-09, you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one year (52 weeks) of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal government, obtained in either the private or public sector, to include: 1) Performing routine analytical studies related to healthcare programs or policies; and 2) Assisting with developing health insurance operational guidance policies, reports, or procedures. - OR - Substitution of Education for Experience: You may substitute education for specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level by possessing a Master's Degree or equivalent graduate degree, or at least 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D. - OR - Combination of Experience and Education: Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the GS-07 grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at the GS-09 grade level. Therefore, only education in excess of one full year of graduate-level education may be used to combine education and experience. ALL TRANSCRIPTS are required at the time of application to verify satisfactory completion of the educational requirement related to substitution of education for experience and combination of experience and education. Please see "Required Documents" section below on what documentation is required. Click the following link to view the occupational questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13103667

Education

Qualifications, continued: NOTE: If you are using specialized experience to qualify for this position, your resume must include detailed information as it relates to the responsibilities and specialized experience for this position. Evidence of copying and pasting directly from the vacancy announcement without clearly documenting supplemental information to describe your experience will result in an ineligible rating. This will prevent you from receiving further consideration. NOTE: A certificate program is defined as post-secondary education, in a qualifying educational institution, equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study (30 undergrad credits/18 grad school credits) that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum.

How you will be evaluated

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Reading Comprehension Teamwork In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Recent Graduate candidates will meet the qualification requirement consistent with the OPM qualification standards applicable to the position being filled. Recent Graduate candidates who meet all requirements will be placed in one of the following categories based on category rating and selection procedures: Well Qualified - for those who excel in the evaluation criteria Qualified - for those who only meet the minimum qualification requirements If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. The category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of professional or scientific positions at the GS-09 level or higher). Veterans' preference applies to selections made under the Pathways authority in accordance with Part 302 of 5 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents sections. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/06/2026. IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE OR EDUCATION. We strongly encourage applicants to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder in the creation of resumes. Determining length of general or specialized experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL information WILL result in a finding of ineligible. Official Position Title (include series and grade if Federal job) Duties (be specific in describing your duties) Employer's name and address Supervisor name and phone number Start and end dates by month and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week) Salary The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation in USA Staffing. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on 11/06/2026. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://usajobshelp.opm.gov/hc/en-us/articles/52879898157843-How-to-see-your-application-and-job-status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. Commissioned Corps Officers (including Commissioned Corps professionally boarded applicants) who are interested in applying for this position must send their cover letter and professional resume (not PHS Curriculum Vitae) to CMSCorpsJobs@cms.hhs.gov in lieu of applying through this announcement. The resume should specifically explain how you are qualified for this position and draw specific attention to your skills and experiences that demonstrates these qualifications. Also send any transcripts, licenses or certifications as requested in this announcement. Please send all documents in 1 PDF file. In the subject line of your e-mail include only the Job Announcement Number. In the body of your e-mail include your current rank name and serial number. Failure to provide this information may impact your consideration for this position. Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

Other information

Bargaining Unit Position: Yes-American Federation of Government Employees, Local 1923 Tour of Duty: Flexible Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure: Not Required Workplace Flexibility at CMS: This position has a regular and recurring reporting requirement to the CMS office listed in this announcement. CMS offers flexible working arrangements and allows employees the opportunity to participate in alternative work schedules at the manager's discretion. Salary Range by Grade: Atlanta, GA: GS-07: $53,361 - $69,371 GS-09: $65,271 - $84,857 Bethesda, MD; Rockville, MD; Woodlawn, MD; and Washington, DC: GS-07: $57,736 - $75,059 GS-09: $70,623 - $91,815 Boston, MA: GS-07: $57,150 - $74,297 GS-09: $69,905 - $90,882 Dallas, TX: GS-07: $54,857 - $71,315 GS-09: $67,100 - $87,235 Denver, CO: GS-07: $56,262 - $73,142 GS-09: $68,819 - $89,470 Kansas City, MO: GS-07: $51,283 - $66,670 GS-09: $62,729 - $81,553 San Francisco, CA: GS-07: $63,081 - $82,007 GS-09: $77,161 - $100,315 Seattle, WA: GS-07: $56,715 - $73,731 GS-09: $69,373 - $90,190 For more information about pay based on locality, please visit the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Salaries & Wages Page. Conversion Eligibility: Recent Graduates may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a career, career-conditional, or term appointment after successful completion of the Pathways Recent Graduate program. The position to which converted may have a full-performance level up to a GS-12. NOTE - Full Performance Level (FPL): Employees selected for this position may be eligible for promotion up to the GS-11 level while in the Pathways Program and up to the GS-12 level after successful completion of the Program. There is no obligation to provide future promotions if you are selected.