Communities Medicaid Research & Health Systems Impact Intern; unpaid

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities.

A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

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.

• Develop understanding of Medicaid systems and their role in funding community-based services
• Build skills in multi-state systems mapping and policy research
• Gain experience conducting cost-benefit and impact analysis within healthcare and social service contexts
• Strengthen ability to translate complex research into clear, actionable reports
• Understand the relationship between preventative care, case management, and healthcare utilization
• Develop awareness of systemic barriers impacting access to healthcare
• Gain experience producing professional-level written reports and literature reviews

• 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

• 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