Sr. Contract Associate - Washington or Oregon - Remote

For those who want to invent the future of health care, here's your opportunity. We're going beyond basic care to health programs integrated across the entire continuum of care. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.The Payor Contracting team supports negotiating agreements which benefit the WA/OR/ID/UT Payor contracts for the West region. The Senior Contract Associate is responsible for managing document control, redlines, reviews, inserting key terms and converting negotiation notes into document language. In addition, supporting negotiations, distributing function specific contract language for approval and routing final documents for signature. This role develops tools (e.g. dashboards, grids, tables, summaries) needed to provide organizational leadership key contract data.If you are located in Washington, Oregon, Utah, Idaho or California, you will have the flexibility to work remotely as you take on some tough challenges.Primary Responsibilities:

Maintains and updates scanned contracts and related documents using standard naming conventions and stores in appropriate location

Circulates draft contract terms/language to appropriate internal departments for review & approval

Identifies material changes to contracts and works with the legal team to respond to these issues

Provides contract insight to the business office and claims shop to ensure accurate and efficient loading of contracts and claims payment

Answers and/or resolves inquiries from health plans or internal departments in a timely manner

Point of contract for payers and internal stakeholders to facilitate research of claims or benefit inquiries as needed

Assist to interpret contractual obligations and reimbursement for internal and external stakeholders

Establishes good working relationships with health plan representatives, as well as internal staff

Develops tools (e.g., dashboards, grids, tables, summaries) needed to provide organizational leadership key contract data

Schedules and ensures proper representation at outside meetings and/or Joint Operations Meetings as needed

Review payer directories to assure Optum entities are correctly represented

Completes special projects and other assignments on as needed basis, and as assigned

Applies knowledge of managed care, health laws, and risk contracting in developing contracting strategies and solving problems

Keeps abreast of industry trends, anticipates implications and opportunities, and collaborates with the management team in developing and managing work plans for payor contracting activities

Reviews health plan contract language, and is familiar with payor, medical group/IPA, and hospital contract language and reimbursement mechanisms

Leads contract negotiations, as assigned. This may include, but is not limited to, Letters of Agreement, fee-for-service negotiations with PPO’s, ASC’s, UCC’s etc.

Other duties as assigned

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.Required Qualifications:

2+ years of experience in health plan managed care contracting/contract administration

Experience working with health plan partners, providers, and teammates

Experience with government programs (Medicare, Medicaid)

Advanced MS Word capabilities: find & replace, redlining, comment insertion, track changes and document compare

Proficient in MS Excel and PowerPoint software

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with capitation and risk sharing arrangements

Experience working with health plan counterparts

Proven ability to make independent decisions

Proven ability to change thought patterns quickly

Proven ability to multitask

All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter PolicyCalifornia or Washington Residents Only: The salary range for this role is $70,200 to $137,800 annually. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employers and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.