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Remote Behavioral Medical Director, Central Region

Centene · MO · Remote available · $236,500–$449,300 a year · Full time

Posted Jul 14, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Why are you interested in a remote behavioral medical director role covering the Central Region?

What they are checking: Whether they understand population-level medical leadership and can work effectively across many markets remotely.

Tell me about a time you used data to change how behavioral health care was delivered.

What they are checking: Whether they can lead quality improvement with measurable results, not just ideas.

How do you work as a physician leader with non-clinical operations and finance colleagues?

What they are checking: Their ability to influence business decisions with clinical insight while respecting other perspectives.

What would you do

How do you conduct a peer-to-peer discussion that both sides feel was fair, even when you uphold a denial?

What they are checking: Whether they can communicate a decision with respect and clear clinical reasoning.

How would you support performance improvement for capitated behavioral health providers?

What they are checking: Whether they understand risk arrangements and can coach providers toward better outcomes.

You're behind on reviews and a high-risk member's case needs urgent coordination. How do you handle your day?

What they are checking: Whether they can protect both regulatory turnaround times and member safety.

About the work

Walk me through your review of a request for residential substance use treatment for a member with several prior treatment episodes.

What they are checking: How they apply level of care criteria while considering history, risk and what has not worked before.

Different states in the region have different Medicaid behavioral health benefits. How do you keep your decisions consistent and correct?

What they are checking: Their awareness that state contracts and regulations change what is covered and when.

When would you recommend a member be considered for an experimental or less common treatment?

What they are checking: Their approach to evidence and individual circumstances on complex or controversial requests.

How would you help the Chief Medical Director shape committee structure and membership?

What they are checking: Their understanding of how physician committees support quality, credentialing and policy.

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The full job description

As published by Centene.

You could be the one who changes everything for our 28 million members as a clinical professional on our Medical Management/Health Services team. Centene is a diversified, national organization offering competitive benefits including a fresh perspective on workplace flexibility. Position Purpose: Assist the Chief Medical Director to direct and coordinate the medical management, quality improvement and credentialing functions for the business unit. • Provides medical leadership of all for utilization management, cost containment, and medical quality improvement activities. • Performs medical review activities pertaining to utilization review, quality assurance, and medical review of complex, controversial, or experimental medical services, ensuring timely and quality decision making. • Supports effective implementation of performance improvement initiatives for capitated providers. • Assists Chief Medical Director in planning and establishing goals and policies to improve quality and cost-effectiveness of care and service for members. • Provides medical expertise in the operation of approved quality improvement and utilization management programs in accordance with regulatory, state, corporate, and accreditation requirements. • Assists the Chief Medical Director in the functioning of the physician committees including committee structure, processes, and membership. • Conduct regular rounds to assess and coordinate care for high-risk patients, collaborating with care management teams to optimize outcomes. • Collaborates effectively with clinical teams, network providers, appeals team, medical and pharmacy consultants for reviewing complex cases and medical necessity appeals. • Participates in provider network development and new market expansion as appropriate. • Assists in the development and implementation of physician education with respect to clinical issues and policies. • Identifies utilization review studies and evaluates adverse trends in utilization of medical services, unusual provider practice patterns, and adequacy of benefit/payment components. • Identifies clinical quality improvement studies to assist in reducing unwarranted variation in clinical practice in order to improve the quality and cost of care. • Interfaces with physicians and other providers in order to facilitate implementation of recommendations to providers that would improve utilization and health care quality. • Reviews claims involving complex, controversial, or unusual or new services in order to determine medical necessity and appropriate payment. • Develops alliances with the provider community through the development and implementation of the medical management programs. • As needed, may represent the business unit before various publics both locally and nationally on medical philosophy, policies, and related issues. • Represents the business unit at appropriate state committees and other ad hoc committees. • May be required to work weekends and holidays in support of business operations, as needed. Education/Experience: • Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy. Utilization Management experience and knowledge of quality accreditation standards preferred. • Actively practices medicine. • Course work in the areas of Health Administration, Health Financing, Insurance, and/or Personnel Management is advantageous. • Experience treating or managing care for a culturally diverse population preferred. License/Certifications: • Board certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. • Certification in Child Psychiatry, preferred. • Current state license as a MD or DO without restrictions, limitations, or sanctions from government programs. Pay Range: $236,500.00 - $449,300.00 per year Centene offers a comprehensive benefits package including: competitive pay, health insurance, 401K and stock purchase plans, tuition reimbursement, paid time off plus holidays, and a flexible approach to work with remote, hybrid, field or office work schedules. Actual pay will be adjusted based on an individual's skills, experience, education, and other job-related factors permitted by law , including full-time or part-time status. Total compensation may also include additional forms of incentives. Benefits may be subject to program eligibility. Centene is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by applicable law. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the LA County Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act

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