Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

What makes your career greater with Optum Frontier Therapies? You'll work with expert and enthusiastic peers, be part of a culture focused on both clinical outcomes and business results and contribute to a growing team that prides itself on learning, evolving, and challenging the status quo.

Optum Frontier Therapies has the vision that all people, no matter how unique, can access a better tomorrow. Focused on reimagining specialty pharmacy for patients with rare disease and advanced therapeutics, we work a little harder. We aim a little higher. We expect more from ourselves and each other. Now we're looking to reinforce our team with people who are decisive, brilliant – and built for speed. Come to Optum Frontier Therapies, part of UnitedHealth Group, and share your passion for doing more. We have roles that will fit your skills and knowledge. We have diverse opportunities that will fit your dreams.

The Associate Director, Medical Benefit Strategy and Contracting will be responsible for optimizing the overall strategy and execution of health plan contracting on behalf of our pharmacy to ensure excellent coverage of medical benefit drugs dispensed by Optum Frontier Therapies. The successful candidate will analyze opportunities within the medical benefit landscape, provide recommendations and execute strategies to optimize access, and partner with key stakeholders to redefine the role of clinical pharmacy. This is a highly visible role both internal to Optum and externally to customers.

You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Leverage existing relationships with Health Plans to create and expand access to covered lives by identifying and executing contract opportunities, onboarding/implementing new clients, and analyzing opportunities for expanded portfolio additions
• Through proactive relationship management, identify customer challenges with the medical benefit and build customized strategies that support business opportunity
• Partner with clinical experts to develop a clinical value proposition for Optum Frontier Therapies that complements and enhances Health Plan complex care models
• Deepen relationship development by preparing and educating medical benefit stakeholders on therapies awarded to Optum Frontier Therapies, including unique considerations required to operationalize contracting and access for those complex therapies
• Provide thought leadership on opportunities for innovative and alternative payment models that encourage transparency and fiscal responsibility
• Ensure contract compliance by partnering with internal resources to complete required reporting and analytics in compliance with policies and procedures
• Create visibility and alignment to the Optum Frontier Therapies medical benefit portfolio performance through recommendations and feedback on overall contract and relationship health in ongoing internal and external business reviews
• Represent Optum Frontier Therapies at key industry meetings and conferences to strengthen relationships and reinforce payer strategy (including advocating for access, network inclusion and favorable reimbursement rates)
• Promote clear communication through detailed database entry and records maintenance

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: 

• Professional work experience in medical benefit contracting, including single case agreements, letters of agreement, and base agreements
• Demonstrated proficiency at using existing relationships with health plans to drive persuasive and proven negotiations, including but not limited to pricing, contract language and outputs for new engagements
• Direct experience with managing external client relationships and/or account management experience
• Direct experience with analyzing claims, ensuring contract compliance, and navigating payment issues 
• Ability to demonstrate keen knowledge of target customer base, as well as trends and challenges facing both specialty pharmacy and health plan partners
• Proven Self-starter with an engaging leadership style. Able to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment with personal accountability for attention to detail and the success of established goals and timelines
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills with the ability to anticipate, identify and diagnose problems and make recommendations Excellent interpersonal, communication (i.e., written and verbal), presentation and project management skills, with the ability to gain cooperation from cross-functional teams
• Ability to travel up to 25%

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, or Washington Residents Only: The salary range for this role is $104,700 to $190,400 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.

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

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: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer 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.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.