Betty Polanco serves as the MCO Contract and Claims Analyst for the NYS 1115 Waiver program, leveraging over 20 years of expertise in project, vendor, contract, and financial management. As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Betty brings a wealth of experience in healthcare operations and a proven track record of optimizing processes and driving compliance.
Before joining the team, Betty spent a decade at Affinity Health Plan (now Molina Health) specializing in Medicaid utilization management. Her 15-year tenure at Montefiore Medical Center’s Corporate Office (CMO) included key roles supporting the Chief Medical Officer and Medical Directors across multiple health plans. During this time, she was instrumental in implementing a quality assurance program for the Population Health Analytics Governance team, ensuring optimal outcomes.
Betty’s leadership extended to the CMS/DOH BE-InCKNY grant, where she played a pivotal role as Project Analyst, helping drive the planning and execution of the initiative over its first three years. She later joined Healthfirst, where she spearheaded efforts to streamline workflows, enhance process efficiency, and ensure contract compliance across various programs.
Currently, Betty collaborates closely with Valbona Lajqi, MBA, and Dr. Joseph Conte, focusing on contract management, claims payment processing, and compliance for the 1115 Waiver program. She is dedicated to supporting MCOs, community-based organizations, and providers to deliver quality care for members with specialized needs, advancing the goals of the waiver.
