Preferred Communities Medicaid Research & Health Systems Impact Intern (unpaid)

International Rescue Committee•New York, NY

7d•Remote

About The Position

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) supports refugees and immigrants in achieving safety, stability, and self-sufficiency. The Preferred Communities (PC) program focuses on long-term, client-centered services that promote well-being and integration. As the program evolves, there is an increasing need to identify sustainable funding pathways and demonstrate the broader impact of services within healthcare systems. This internship is structured in two complementary parts. The first focuses on researching and mapping Medicaid billing opportunities across Preferred Communities sites nationwide. The second focuses on analyzing the financial and systems-level impact of case management services, particularly in reducing emergency room utilization and associated costs. The intern will work closely with the Preferred Communities team to conduct research, organize findings, and develop analyses that support program sustainability and healthcare system impact. Each component will result in a standalone literature review and final report. The intern’s work will contribute to strengthening long-term funding strategies for Preferred Communities programming while demonstrating the value of case management services in reducing healthcare costs and improving outcomes for clients and communities.

Requirements

Graduate or Doctoral-level coursework in Social Work, Public Health, Psychology, Psychiatry, or related field
Strong research, analytical, and writing skills
Ability to synthesize complex systems and policy information
Interest in healthcare systems, Medicaid, and social service integration
Strong attention to detail and organization
Must be located in the U.S. during the internship
Must be at least 18 years old
Completion of IRC background check
Completion of IRC onboarding and required trainings, including: IRC Way, Every Day Safety and Security Training, Safeguarding Training, Information Security Awareness

Responsibilities

Collect and organize information on Medicaid billing processes across Preferred Communities locations
Map state-by-state Medicaid billing models, including variations in structure and implementation
Identify key contacts and requirements related to Medicaid billing
Research federal and state compliance requirements (e.g., HIPAA)
Analyze organizational readiness for Medicaid billing
Review eligibility criteria, billing codes, and reimbursable services
Explore partnerships and workforce pathways (e.g., Community Health Workers)
Assess financial considerations including reimbursement and administrative costs
Identify alternative sustainability strategies beyond Medicaid
Conduct cost-benefit analysis on case management and emergency room utilization
Research costs associated with emergency room visits
Analyze patterns of ER usage among PC clients
Examine disparities in healthcare access and utilization
Develop frameworks for estimating cost savings
Identify opportunities for collaboration with healthcare providers
Create tools or models to support implementation of cost-saving strategies
Observation of program operations and strategy discussions
Participation in team meetings and research check-ins
Guided research assignments
Supervised development of literature reviews and reports