Kirsten Jensen

Deputy Director, Medicaid Benefits & Health Programs Group
Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS)
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Kirsten Jensen is the Deputy Group Director for the Medicaid Benefits and Health Programs Group and has over 20 years of experience as CMS.  She assists with overseeing the broad range of services that Medicaid beneficiaries receive. These include medical and hospital services, mental health and substance use services, long-term services and supports, health homes and pharmacy.  As the Division Director for the Division of Benefits and Coverage she managed policies on the assurance of transportation, school-based services coverage, services for people involved with the carceral system, institutions for mental disease and mobile crisis intervention services.  She worked in other capacities at CMS including nursing home survey and certification, home and community-based services, and inter-governmental affairs.  Prior to joining CMS she worked at a number of private sector entities.  She holds a Master of Science in Gerontology and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California.