Kristal Vardaman
Kristal Vardaman
Managing Principal, Duals and LTSS
Kristal Vardaman, PhD, MSPH, has extensive experience in Medicaid policy, with expertise in long-term services and supports (LTSS), duals, and program evaluation. At Aurrera Health, she supports state and federal clients in designing, implementing, and evaluating policies impacting older adults and people with disabilities. She leads work related to managed care for individuals in long-term care settings and provides technical assistance and policy analysis to federal, foundation, and association clients. Kristal also manages stakeholder engagement and develops resources to inform program design and administration.
Before joining Aurrera Health, Kristal was a policy director at the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program Payment and Access Commission, where she led a team focused on population health and access. She developed recommendations to Congress on managed LTSS, integrated care for dually eligible beneficiaries, and home and community-based services (HCBS). She also managed research contracts and provided technical assistance to Congressional staff. Earlier in her career, Kristal worked at the Government Accountability Office evaluating Medicare and Medicaid performance, and at a health care consulting firm, where she advised clients on federal health policy. In 2023, she was elected to the National Academy of Social Insurance.
Kristal lives outside Detroit, Michigan where she enjoys trying new restaurants and listening to live music.
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Education
Doctor of Psychology in Public Policy and Administration, George Washington University
Master of Science in Public Health, Health Policy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology and Cognitive Science, University of Michigan
