Provider Contracting Specialist

About the role

NationsBenefits is a fast-growing Healthcare Fintech provider of supplemental benefits, flex cards, and member engagement solutions. We partner with managed care organizations to deliver innovative healthcare solutions that drive growth, improve outcomes, reduce costs, and bring value to members. The Provider Contracting Specialist serves as the primary contracting and negotiation resource for provider network expansion efforts across dental, vision, and hearing specialties.

Working in close partnership with Provider Recruiters, this role converts engaged provider prospects into contracted network participants through effective negotiation, relationship management, and consultative problem-solving. While Provider Recruiters focus on high-volume outreach and opportunity generation, the Provider Contracting Specialist acts as the "closer" for complex contracting opportunities, leading reimbursement discussions, addressing objections, navigating counterproposals, and guiding providers through the contracting process from engagement to executed agreement and enrollment.

The ideal candidate combines healthcare industry knowledge, strong negotiation skills, provider relations experience, and the ability to build trust with practice owners, administrators, and healthcare leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead contract negotiations with prospective dental, vision, and hearing providers and practices.
• Review and negotiate reimbursement arrangements, contract terms, and participation requirements.
• Evaluate provider counterproposals and develop recommendations that align with network strategy and business objectives.
• Address provider concerns related to reimbursement, network participation, claims processes, credentialing, and operational requirements.
• Facilitate timely execution of provider agreements and ensure all required documentation is completed accurately.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for engaged providers requiring high-touch, consultative support.
• Build strong relationships with practice owners, office managers, administrators, and other key stakeholders.
• Present the value proposition of network participation and effectively communicate benefits to providers.
• Resolve objections and barriers to participation through strategic problem-solving and relationship management.
• Maintain a positive provider experience throughout the contracting and onboarding process.
• Collaborate closely with Provider Recruiters to create a seamless provider acquisition process.
• Accept warm leads and scheduled opportunities generated by recruiters and advance them through the contracting cycle.
• Participate in provider meetings and consultations to support complex negotiations.
• Provide feedback to recruiters regarding market conditions, provider concerns, competitive insights, and contracting trends.
• Support network growth initiatives by helping maximize provider conversion rates.
• Coordinate provider enrollment activities following contract execution.
• Ensure providers meet network participation requirements and onboarding milestones.
• Track contracting progress and maintain accurate records within CRM and contracting systems.
• Support achievement of provider recruitment, contracting, and network adequacy goals.
• Identify opportunities to improve contracting processes, provider experience, and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business, Public Health, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of experience in healthcare contracting, provider relations, provider recruitment, network development, or a related healthcare role.
• Experience negotiating contracts, rates, or business agreements.
• Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, goal-driven environment.

Preferred

• Experience working with dental, vision, hearing, medical, or ancillary provider networks.
• Knowledge of provider reimbursement methodologies and healthcare contracting principles.
• Experience supporting credentialing, provider enrollment, or network operations.
• Familiarity with managed care or healthcare network development.
• Experience working directly with healthcare practice owners and administrators.