Contract Specialist

Contract Specialist for Behavioral Health

Position Overview:

The Contract Specialist for Behavioral Health is responsible for managing, drafting, negotiating, and monitoring contracts related to behavioral health services. This role ensures compliance with legal, regulatory, and organizational standards while fostering strong partnerships with service providers, government agencies, and stakeholders. The specialist plays a critical role in optimizing the delivery of behavioral health services through effective contract management.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Contract Development and Management:

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts with behavioral health providers, vendors, and stakeholders.

• Ensure contracts comply with federal, state, and local regulations specific to behavioral health.

• Maintain accurate and organized records of all contracts, amendments, and associated documents.

2. Regulatory Compliance:

• Monitor contracts for adherence to legal and regulatory requirements, including HIPAA, Medicaid, and Medicare standards.

• Collaborate with legal and compliance teams to address risks and ensure alignment with organizational policies.

3. Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with behavioral health service providers and community partners.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for contract-related inquiries and issue resolution.

4. Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Track performance metrics and ensure that service providers meet contractual obligations, including quality and financial benchmarks.

• Conduct periodic contract reviews and audits to identify areas for improvement or renegotiation.

5. Financial Oversight:

• Assist in budget planning related to behavioral health contracts.

• Monitor costs, ensure accurate billing, and verify payments align with contract terms.

6. Process Improvement:

• Identify opportunities to streamline contracting processes and enhance efficiency.

• Implement best practices for behavioral health contract management.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Health Administration, Public Health, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).

• Experience in contract management, preferably in healthcare or behavioral health settings.

• Strong understanding of behavioral health regulations, funding mechanisms, and service delivery models.

• Proficiency in contract management software and MS Office Suite.

• Exceptional negotiation, communication, and organizational skills.

• Ability to manage multiple contracts and projects simultaneously.

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of federal and state behavioral health programs (e.g., Medicaid, block grants).

• Familiarity with mental health and substance use disorder treatment frameworks.

• Experience working with diverse populations and community-based organizations.

This position ensures the effective and compliant delivery of behavioral health services, contributing to the organization’s mission of improving mental health outcomes within the community.