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Senior Contract Negotiator

Centene · TX · Remote available · $70,100–$126,200 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 21, 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

Tell me about a negotiation with a hospital or physician group that you are proud of.

What they are checking: Whether they have real experience negotiating provider agreements and can explain their approach.

How do you prioritize when several urgent requests arrive at once?

What they are checking: Whether they can triage by member impact and deadlines without dropping anything.

Tell me about a time you made a mistake in a contract or rate entry. How did you fix it?

What they are checking: Whether they own errors and understand how small contract mistakes affect claims payment.

What would you do

A member is being discharged tomorrow and there is no contracted provider available. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can act fast on urgent needs while still controlling cost and following process.

How do you decide when to redirect to a participating provider instead of creating an SCA?

What they are checking: Whether they look for in-network options first to avoid unnecessary out-of-network costs.

A provider asks for a rate above your approved range. How do you handle the conversation?

What they are checking: Whether they negotiate within limits and know when and how to escalate.

About the work

Walk me through how you negotiate a single case agreement from request to execution.

What they are checking: Whether they know the full SCA process, including rates, approved language, routing and notifications.

How do you spot providers who might be good candidates to join the network permanently?

What they are checking: Whether they think about long-term network gaps rather than only solving one case at a time.

What reimbursement methods have you worked with, like percent of Medicare or case rates?

What they are checking: Whether they understand common payment structures well enough to compare offers.

How do you make sure everyone who needs to know about an executed agreement is informed?

What they are checking: Whether they follow through on notifications so claims and care teams can act correctly.

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The full job description

As published by Centene.

Position Purpose: Coordinate and negotiate hospital, physician (IPAs, PPMs, individual providers, multi-specialty groups) and ancillary service agreements that are in accordance with corporate, health plan and State guidelines. Key Details : Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Sponsorship and future sponsorship are not available for this opportunity, including employment-based visa types H-1B, L-1, O-1, H-1B1, F-1, J -1, OPT, or CPT. • Negotiate SCAs rates within parameters and escalate issues as they arise. Create SCAs in with approved language and rates. Route and follow SCAs to ensure requests are processed through Share point system. Upon execution of SCA, notify all appropriate internal and external customers and post SCA in assigned folders. • Assist with various teams with par provider options and supply appropriate choices for the request. If par provider(s) are not available, redirect to alternative providers that may be cost effective. Notify management of providers who may be willing to contract for gaps or access to care concerns. • Prioritize work to ensure responses to urgent requests, imminent discharges/transfers and complaints. Redirection options should be timely to avoid unnecessary SCAs. Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Marketing, related field or equivalent experience. 4+ years of contracting or provider relations experience in a healthcare, managed care, or insurance related environment. Working knowledge of State and/or Federal health care programs preferred (Medicaid, Medicare). Candidates must be in Texas to be considered for this position. It is a remote role that might require occasional local travel. Pay Range: $70,100.00 - $126,200.00 per year At Centene, we connect people to the care they need to live healthier lives — and the work you do here makes that impact real every day. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that directly support individuals, families, and communities, building your skills while making healthcare more accessible and effective. It’s work with a purpose you can see, backed by a team committed to improving lives well beyond the workday. 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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