Akos Varga
Hopkins,MN
Summary
Strategic health insurance leader with 13 years of experience in Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, and Individual and Family Plan/ACA markets. Proven success in driving product growth, co-leading multibillion-dollar RFPs, and building enterprise intelligence functions that support better and faster decisions. Recognized for translating complex market and product analyses, research, and regulations into clear strategies.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Market Intelligence Manager
UCare
Minneapolis, USA
11.2024 - 01.2026
- Dual role managing market intelligence and co-leading Medicaid RFP strategy and development.
- Built UCare’s market intelligence program from the ground up with 20+ activities and tools based on stakeholder interviews, gap assessment, and best practices.
- Designed a central intelligence hub and implemented a standardized research intake/workflow.
- Delivered a comprehensive environmental scan for executive leaders and board of directors.
- Published a daily industry newsletter with 96% satisfaction.
- Conducted 10+ research and analyses on competitors, high-risk populations, state Medicaid models, and topics like value-based purchasing and integrated care.
- Co-led UCare’s strategic readiness for the next Medicaid RFP.
- Conducted in-depth RFP analyses to identify competitive differentiators and gaps.
- Developed 15 strategy documents/county profiles, toolkit of 100+ best practices and 200+ KPIs, and an RFP hub to improve knowledge management and SME engagement.
- Chaired provider network workstream and related strategic initiatives.
Business Development and RFP Consultant
UCare
Minneapolis, USA
11.2021 - 11.2024
- Co-led three Medicaid RFPs worth up to $4B with 400K+ members.
- Doubled previous score in Iowa; authored UCare’s highest-scoring section in Kansas.
- Coordinated 25+ internal SMEs and external support at the same time to align value proposition.
- Created 10+ RFP resources (e.g., RFP playbook, strategy templates, deep dives).
- Analyzed six states, 10 competitor bids, and 2,000+ contract requirements.
- Assessed three new markets for expansion, leading cross-functional market, financial, regulatory, operational, and risk reviews.
- Developed stage gate criteria for market entry.
- Architected 10+ frameworks, including RFP and competitive analyses, multi-factor market scoring, competitive gap assessment, and evaluation of Medicare supplemental benefits.
- Served as Interim Market Research Manager; oversaw five research projects and vendor partner.
Product Manager – Individual and Family Plans
UCare
Minneapolis, USA
07.2016 - 10.2021
- Owned $190M ACA portfolio with 50K+ members, leading the entire product cycle from plan design and pricing to commercialization, implementation, and ongoing performance management.
- Implemented multi-year product roadmaps that attained and maintained market leadership.
- Achieved 250% profitable growth over five years in a shrinking market. Doubled share to 47%.
- Tripled service area and provider network reach.
- Launched five new products/plans; diversified portfolio with new benefits and features.
- Co-created marketing plans that improved product awareness by 20%.
- Led annual plan design, pricing, and contract work with 100% accurate/timely regulatory filings.
- Acted as Account Manager for market-leading partnership ACO with M Health Fairview.
- Devised and executed a multi-pronged retention plan that improved retention by 10%.
- Analyzed product performance and designed targeted performance improvement initiatives.
- Provided quarterly, annual, and ad hoc trainings. Managed and coached Product Specialist staff.
Government Programs Analyst
HealthPartners
Bloomington, USA
05.2015 - 07.2016
- One of four team members managing a $630M Medicaid/D-SNP portfolio of 100K members.
- Oversaw 150+ regulatory reports with 100% timely submissions.
- Coordinated a winning RFP response to enter Minnesota’s Special Needs BasicCare program.
- Represented HealthPartners at regulatory/trade group meetings and DHS contract negotiations.
- Recovered more than $800K in outstanding DHS reimbursements.
- Led the implementation of annual contract changes. Configured new product/plan options, translating program needs into HealthPartners system needs.
- Resolved operational issues around provider network, enrollment, capitation payments, and materials.
Market Research Analyst
UCare
Minneapolis, USA
07.2014 - 05.2015
- Managed nine quantitative and qualitative research projects on products, members, providers.
- Designed research instruments, analyzed results, and presented recommendations to leaders.
- Expanded UCare’s member feedback community by 30%.
Community Relations and Public Affairs Assistant
UCare
Minneapolis, USA
05.2012 - 06.2014
- Planned and staffed 100+ community events, fostering relationships with members and partners.
- Reviewed and processed 200+ UCare Foundation grant proposals with $1.2M in approved funding.
Education
M.A. - Healthcare Administration
St. Mary’s University
Minneapolis, MN, USA01.2021
Certificate - Leadership and Management
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN, USA01.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Economics
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN, USA01.2014
Skills
- Product Management
- Business Development
- Strategy
- RFP Management
- Market & Competitive Analysis
- Cross-Functional Leadership
Accomplishments
- Market-leader ACA portfolio with 250% profitable growth and 47% market share.
- Five Medicaid RFPs: secured program entry in Minnesota, doubled prior scores in Iowa.
- Enterprise intelligence program with 20+ activities and tools.
- 50+ market, product and competitive analyses, 14 market research studies.
- 40+ strategy tools and frameworks.
- 100% timely regulatory filings and report submissions.
Volunteer Experience
- DEI and Employee Advisory Committees
- Employee Bike Team Captain
- Reading Tutor
- ESL Teacher
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Hungarian
Native/ Bilingual
German
Limited
French
Elementary
Timeline
Market Intelligence Manager
UCare
11.2024 - 01.2026
Business Development and RFP Consultant
UCare
11.2021 - 11.2024
Product Manager – Individual and Family Plans
UCare
07.2016 - 10.2021
Government Programs Analyst
HealthPartners
05.2015 - 07.2016
Market Research Analyst
UCare
07.2014 - 05.2015
Community Relations and Public Affairs Assistant
UCare
05.2012 - 06.2014
M.A. - Healthcare Administration
St. Mary’s University
Certificate - Leadership and Management
University of Minnesota
Bachelor of Arts - Economics
University of Minnesota