Full Name
Joshua Wojcik
Job Title
Director, Health Policy and Benefits Services Division
Company
The State of Connecticut
Speaking At
Speaker Bio
Joshua Wojcik is a dynamic and results-driven healthcare policy and benefits expert with a fervent commitment to driving innovation and operational excellence within government entities. Currently serving as the Director of Health Care Policy and Benefits at the Office of the State Comptroller in Connecticut, Joshua plays a pivotal role as the chief administrator of the state employee health plan, overseeing the launch of groundbreaking initiatives and ongoing operations.
During his tenure at the Comptroller's Office, Joshua has spearheaded transformative policy changes that have not only delivered substantial savings but also fostered significant enhancements for the state of Connecticut. His notable achievements include:
• Pioneering an innovative, transparent pharmacy benefit contract for the State Employee Plan, resulting in an initial cost reduction exceeding $30 million without compromising employee benefits.
• Strategically transitioning Medicare-eligible retirees on the state employee health plan to Medicare Advantage, yielding annual savings of $200 million while preserving employee satisfaction.
• Restructuring the amortization formula for the State Employee Retirement System, leading to a more predictable payment schedule and a reduction in total amortization costs amounting to billions of dollars.
• Instituting a modification to the state's Budget Reserve Fund policy to ensure regular deposits during periods of volatile revenue, contributing to fiscal stability.
• Skillfully negotiating state contracts to expand access to critical Covid-19 testing at the onset of the pandemic.
• Pioneering an innovative, direct value-based contracting initiative with provider groups, known as the "Primary Care Initiative," covering over 100,000 lives. This program aligns incentives between the state as the payer and provider groups, promoting increased primary care investment, improved quality metrics, and cost containment, all while achieving mutually beneficial goals of enhanced patient outcomes.
Joshua is an active participant in numerous state policy boards and work groups, including:
• The Connecticut Health Care Cost Growth Benchmark Steering Committee.
• Chairing the Connecticut Health Care Cost Growth Benchmark pharmacy workgroup.
• Serving on the NASHP Pharmacy Cost Workgroup.
• Contributing to the Medicaid Primary Care Advisory Council.
Before his role at the State Comptroller's Office, Joshua served as a policy analyst for the Senate Democrats, where he focused on health policy and budget-related issues. He also played a central role as the lead staffer for the Senate Democrats during the 2011 redistricting effort.
Joshua holds a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Connecticut and resides in Brooklyn, Connecticut, with his wife, Wendy, and their two children, Wes and Ayla. When he's not immersed in policy matters, Joshua enjoys exploring the picturesque landscapes of Eastern Connecticut on his road bike and embarking on memorable adventures along Connecticut's scenic coastline with his family.
During his tenure at the Comptroller's Office, Joshua has spearheaded transformative policy changes that have not only delivered substantial savings but also fostered significant enhancements for the state of Connecticut. His notable achievements include:
• Pioneering an innovative, transparent pharmacy benefit contract for the State Employee Plan, resulting in an initial cost reduction exceeding $30 million without compromising employee benefits.
• Strategically transitioning Medicare-eligible retirees on the state employee health plan to Medicare Advantage, yielding annual savings of $200 million while preserving employee satisfaction.
• Restructuring the amortization formula for the State Employee Retirement System, leading to a more predictable payment schedule and a reduction in total amortization costs amounting to billions of dollars.
• Instituting a modification to the state's Budget Reserve Fund policy to ensure regular deposits during periods of volatile revenue, contributing to fiscal stability.
• Skillfully negotiating state contracts to expand access to critical Covid-19 testing at the onset of the pandemic.
• Pioneering an innovative, direct value-based contracting initiative with provider groups, known as the "Primary Care Initiative," covering over 100,000 lives. This program aligns incentives between the state as the payer and provider groups, promoting increased primary care investment, improved quality metrics, and cost containment, all while achieving mutually beneficial goals of enhanced patient outcomes.
Joshua is an active participant in numerous state policy boards and work groups, including:
• The Connecticut Health Care Cost Growth Benchmark Steering Committee.
• Chairing the Connecticut Health Care Cost Growth Benchmark pharmacy workgroup.
• Serving on the NASHP Pharmacy Cost Workgroup.
• Contributing to the Medicaid Primary Care Advisory Council.
Before his role at the State Comptroller's Office, Joshua served as a policy analyst for the Senate Democrats, where he focused on health policy and budget-related issues. He also played a central role as the lead staffer for the Senate Democrats during the 2011 redistricting effort.
Joshua holds a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Connecticut and resides in Brooklyn, Connecticut, with his wife, Wendy, and their two children, Wes and Ayla. When he's not immersed in policy matters, Joshua enjoys exploring the picturesque landscapes of Eastern Connecticut on his road bike and embarking on memorable adventures along Connecticut's scenic coastline with his family.
