Nicole Lehman, MSW

Associate Principal

Health Management Associates

Chicago, IL

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Nicole Lehman is an experienced healthcare professional specializing in the improvement, development, and growth of multifaceted, high-paced managed care organizations.

She is an expert on implementing regulatory guidance as well as complying with state, federal, and quality audits. She has additional experience in health plan management and developing new policies.

An advocate and champion for youth, Nicole co-founded and served as executive director of a 501c3 focused on the leadership and development of youth living with mental illness and worked to expand programs for foster youth peer mentoring and independent living. She specializes in facilitation, training, and curriculum development for child welfare employees, foster parents, and group home staff.

Before joining HMA, Nicole served as the director of behavioral health services for the L.A. Health Care Plan, where she oversaw all department staff and programs including provider outreach, autism services, transgender health, and Institutes for Mental Disease. She was directly responsible for increasing growth utilization across all lines of business, including Medi-Cal/Medicaid, Medicare/Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, and Cal MediConnect.

Prior to this, Nicole also served as the manager of behavioral health integration for CalOptima. While there, she promoted and measured improvements in health outcomes for behavioral health services. Additionally, she has expertise in behavioral health integration management for ACA implementation

A leader in the managed health care industry, Nicole has consistently ensured the effectiveness of departmental programs and services by establishing new reporting standards, audit criteria, and quality measures.

Nicole earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from California State University, Fullerton and a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California.