Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

The Medicare Coverage Analyst within the College of Medicine ensures compliance with clinical research billing requirements; is responsible for reviewing key study documents, conducts comprehensive coverage analyses, and collaborates closely with internal and external stakeholders to support accurate billing, budgeting, and study management; contributes expertise across the research lifecycle, from study activation through post-award financial oversight.

• Review study-related documents (e.g., protocols, consent forms, agreements, budgets, investigator brochures, etc.) to determine coverage requirements and assess billing implications
• Develop and manage protocol-specific studies within the Clinical Research Management System (CRMS), translating study protocols and negotiated budgets into accessible formats to support billing compliance and financial oversight
• Perform Clinical Trials Office Ancillary Reviews to determine whether research studies require CRMS submission per institutional policies
• Draft Coverage Analysis Review (CAR) memos and billing grids (BGRIDs) to guide Medicare Coverage Analysis (MCA) discussions and inform billing determinations
• Provide individualized clinical research training and project-specific guidance to faculty and research personnel across departments
• Participate in protocol budget and feasibility meetings, updating coverage analyses as study information evolves
• Serve as a subject matter expert for colleagues involved in pre-award and post-award processes, offering insight on billing compliance and coverage rules
• Collaborate with the Human Research Protection Program Office, Office of Research Affairs, Penn State Health Finance, legal counsel, clinical departments, and ancillary units to ensure alignment with regulatory and institutional billing standards
• Work with Patient Financial Services, study teams, and post-award financial analysts to troubleshoot and resolve research billing issues
• Provide study teams with follow-up information, support resources, and clarification on coverage analysis outcomes
• Liaise with external coverage analysis vendors as needed for assigned studies
• Contribute to the development of educational tools and resources for Clinical Trials Office staff, study teams, and others involved in research billing compliance
• Mentor or train colleagues and study teams on clinical research billing processes, tools, and best practices

Level:

– Principal Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Displays mastery of defined skill areas/applications, principles, theories and practices. Evaluates and enhances existing practices. Recognizes emerging trends in area of expertise. Works independently on complex or strategic assignments. Directs and delegates appropriate tasks to others. Implements strategies to ensure achievement of initiatives. Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and deliver to broad audiences. Identifies and implements innovative solutions to important, highly complex strategic and/or operational issues.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Validates and pays invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets and funding
– May plan and forecast budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters complex and novel problems
– Applies policies, practices, specialized knowledge, and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations, and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on complex or strategic assignments
– Uses existing practices as guidelines as well as working knowledge to determine specific work methods
– Carries out work activities independently, with supervisor available to resolve problems
– Reviews work of others to verify technical soundness

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members and area leads across the University
– Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and delivers to a broad variety of audiences
– Establishes and maintains networks to facilitate successful communication among units

• Comp Grade – 13
• Minimum – $86,300.00
• MidPoint – $107,900.00
• Maximum – $129,500.00