Behavioral Health Contract Negotiation Manager

Preferra Insurance; Illinois; On-site; USD 66,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Paid time off

Retirement savings plan

Wellness programs

Job summary

CVS Health's Aetna Network Management team is seeking an experienced Behavioral Health Contract Negotiator. This role focuses on building and maintaining a high-performing provider network and negotiating competitive contracts.

You'll analyze data, support value-based care initiatives, and collaborate across functions to ensure network adequacy and timely contract execution. The position offers a full-time schedule with a strong benefits package and potential for bonus eligibility, reflecting

Qualifications

• 5+ years of provider contracting and financial analysis experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Ability to use data to negotiate favorable contracts.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate competitive contracts with behavioral healthcare providers.
• Draft and review contract language with cross-functional teams.
• Conduct financial and competitive analyses to secure best discounts.
• Manage contract performance and coordinate issue resolution.
• Support value-based contracts aligned with business strategy.
• Build relationships with providers and resolve escalated issues.
• Negotiate settlements and recruit providers to ensure network adequacy.
• Maintain accountability for medical cost initiatives.

Skills

Provider contracting

Financial analysis

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

We're building a world of health around every individual - shaping a more connected, convenient and compassionate health experience. At CVS Health®, you'll be surrounded by passionate colleagues who care deeply, innovate with purpose, hold ourselves accountable and prioritize safety and quality in everything we do. Join us and be part of something bigger - helping to simplify health care one person, one family and one community at a time.

Position Summary

This is an individual contributor role. Join Aetna's Network Management team as a Behavioral Health Contract Negotiator and play a key role in building and maintaining a high-performing provider network. You'll leverage your negotiation skills and analytical expertise to secure competitive contracts, support value-based care initiatives, and drive positive outcomes for our members and partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Negotiate competitive contracts with behavioral healthcare providers, ensuring alignment with internal guidelines and financial standards.
• Draft and review contract language, collaborating with cross-functional teams for non-standard terms.
• Conduct financial and competitive analyses to achieve best-in-market discounts and meet financial targets.
• Manage contract performance and coordinate with internal departments to resolve issues related to contract execution, loading, and ongoing maintenance.
• Support the implementation of value-based contracts in line with business strategies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key providers, ensuring timely resolution of escalated issues such as claims, contract interpretation, and provider data accuracy.
• Negotiate settlements and recruit providers as needed to ensure network adequacy and support expansion goals.
• Maintain accountability for specific medical cost initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of provider contracting and relationship experience, including contract language, rate proposals, and financial analysis.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated ability to use competitive and financial data to negotiate favorable contracts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Behavioral Health Contracting, Provider Network Management, or Behavioral Health Operations.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple negotiations and tasks simultaneously, meeting deadlines and maintaining strong relationships both externally and internally.
• Strong preference for candidates residing in the Central Region states, including Illinois, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, or Wisconsin.

Education

• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.

Anticipated Weekly Hours

40

Time Type

Full time

Pay Range

The typical pay range for this role is:

$66,330.00 - $145,860.00

This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors. This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above.

Our people fuel our future. Our teams reflect the customers, patients, members and communities we serve and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every colleague feels valued and that they belong.

Great benefits for great people

We take pride in offering a comprehensive and competitive mix of pay and benefits that reflects our commitment to our colleagues and their families.

This full‑time position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, emotional, and financial well‑being of colleagues and their families. The benefits for this position include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, retirement savings options, wellness programs, and other resources, based on eligibility.

Additional details about available benefits are provided during the application process and on Benefits Moments.

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on: 11/10/2026

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state and local laws.