OPT Provider Relations Specialist Jobs
Provider Relations Specialist roles sit at the intersection of healthcare operations and relationship management, making them a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in healthcare administration, business, or communications. Most positions qualify under standard OPT, and some healthcare technology employers offer STEM OPT extension eligibility.
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INTRODUCTION
Manages and maintains relationships with an assigned portfolio of contracted and prospective providers, serving as a primary liaison between VNS Health Plans and provider organizations. Responsible for supporting provider engagement, operational performance, contract implementation, education, and resolution of provider-related issues. Works collaboratively with internal departments and provider leadership to address complex operational, contractual, claims, compliance, quality, and service-related matters. Monitors provider needs and performance, identifies trends and opportunities for improvement, and coordinates appropriate follow-up and resolution. The role requires general direction, strong relationship management skills, knowledge of managed care operations and government-sponsored programs, and the ability to effectively navigate and coordinate across multiple internal and external stakeholders.
What You Will Do
- Manages an assigned portfolio of provider relationships, serving as a primary point of contact for provider leadership and key stakeholders and maintaining ongoing engagement to support strong provider relationships and network performance.
- Supports the implementation and ongoing administration of provider agreements, including provider education, contract requirements, operational expectations, demographic updates, renewals, and coordination with Contracting and Network teams.
- Educates providers on VNS Health Plans policies, procedures, contractual requirements, government program requirements, eligibility, operational processes, and other health plan initiatives.
- Monitors provider performance, identifies trends, gaps, discrepancies, and opportunities for improvement, and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement appropriate resolutions.
- Coordinates resolution of complex provider issues involving claims, billing, configuration, credentialing, contracting, quality, compliance, utilization, member service, and other operational matters, while maintaining ownership of the provider relationship through resolution.
- Serves as a liaison between providers and internal departments, facilitating communication and coordinating cross-functional efforts to address provider concerns and ensure timely follow-up.
- Leads and/or participates in provider meetings, business reviews, education sessions, site visits, and other provider engagement activities; prepares relevant materials and communicates organizational priorities and expectations.
- Coordinates provider-related initiatives and special projects, including implementation of new programs, regulatory requirements, operational changes, and other health plan initiatives impacting the provider network.
- Reviews provider data, reports, and other available information to identify discrepancies, trends, and potential areas of risk and escalating issues to the appropriate internal stakeholders.
- Partners with Compliance and other internal departments support Department of Health, regulatory, contractual, and internal audits and assist with provider follow-up and corrective actions as appropriate.
- Maintains accurate and timely documentation of provider interactions, activities, issues, and follow-up within designated systems and tools.
- Provides feedback to internal stakeholders regarding provider concerns, operational barriers, recurring issues, and opportunities to improve provider processes and the overall provider experience.
- Maintains current knowledge of VNS Health Plans products, provider network operations, applicable Medicare and Medicaid requirements, regulatory expectations, and organizational policies and procedures.
What We Provide
- Referral bonus opportunities
- Generous paid time off (PTO), starting at 20 days of paid time off and 9 company holidays
- Health insurance plan for you and your loved ones, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability
- Employer-matched 401k retirement saving program
- Personal and financial wellness programs
- Pre-tax flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for healthcare and dependent care and commuter transit program
- Generous tuition reimbursement for qualifying degrees
- Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement and CEU credits
QUALIFICATIONS
Licenses and Certifications:
Drivers license required
Education:
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent related work experience and relevant professional experience, preferably in healthcare, business, public health, health services, or a related field required
Work Experience:
Minimum three years of experience in provider relations, account management, managed care, healthcare operations, network management, contracting, or a related healthcare field required. Working knowledge of government-sponsored healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, and their impact on provider operations, reimbursement, eligibility, and regulatory requirements preferred. Prior experience in Provider Relations, Provider Network Management, Account Management, Contracting, or a related healthcare function preferred.
Pay Range
USD $37.32 - USD $46.66 /Hr.
About us
VNS Health has been committed to meeting the needs of New Yorkers for over 130 years. We’re one of the largest nonprofit home- and community-based health care organizations in the country, and today, more than 11,500 team members work together to make a difference in the lives of more than 99,000 patients and members on any given day.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Provider Relations Specialist
Target healthcare systems and managed care organizations
Large health systems, insurance payers, and managed care organizations hire Provider Relations Specialists regularly and often have established OPT hiring processes. These employers are more likely to understand work authorization timelines than smaller practices.
Lead with your healthcare administration coursework
Hiring managers want candidates who understand provider networks, credentialing, and payer-provider dynamics. Highlight relevant coursework, internships, or capstone projects upfront so employers can immediately see your field-specific preparation before the OPT conversation begins.
Address your OPT timeline proactively in interviews
Bring up your work authorization early, not at the offer stage. Explain your OPT end date, STEM extension eligibility if applicable, and your H-1B visa sponsorship interest. Employers appreciate transparency and it avoids surprises during the hiring process.
Emphasize relationship management and communication skills
Provider Relations roles require constant stakeholder communication. Candidates who can demonstrate cross-cultural communication skills and experience managing complex relationships often stand out, which is a genuine advantage many international students bring to this role.
Research employer OPT sponsorship history before applying
Check whether an employer has previously filed H-1B petitions for similar roles. Past sponsorship is the strongest indicator of future willingness. Focus your energy on applications where the employer has demonstrated prior work authorization support.
Obtain your EAD card before your start date
Apply for your OPT EAD at least 90 days before your program end date. Provider Relations roles often have fixed onboarding timelines, and employers cannot wait for delayed cards. A confirmed EAD start date makes you a far more straightforward hire.
Provider Relations Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Provider Relations Specialists?
Yes. Provider Relations Specialist roles qualify for F-1 OPT because the work is directly related to fields such as healthcare administration, business, and communications, all of which are common OPT-eligible degree programs. You must have an approved EAD and ensure your role description aligns with your degree field when reporting employment to your DSO.
Do Provider Relations Specialist jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree field and the employer. If your degree is in health informatics, data analytics, or another STEM-designated field, and the employer is E-Verify enrolled, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Roles at healthcare technology companies are more likely to qualify than positions at traditional provider offices or insurance payers.
Where can I find Provider Relations Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings by OPT sponsorship willingness, so you are not wasting applications on employers who will not consider work authorization. Browsing Provider Relations roles on Migrate Mate gives you a clearer picture of which healthcare employers actively hire OPT candidates.
How does the 90-day unemployment rule affect Provider Relations job searches?
F-1 OPT students can accumulate no more than 90 days of unemployment during their standard OPT period. Provider Relations job searches in healthcare can take longer than average due to credentialing background checks and multi-round interview processes, so starting your search early and applying broadly gives you the most runway before the limit becomes a concern.
Do I need to report my Provider Relations Specialist job to my DSO?
Yes. Once you accept an offer, you must report your employer name, job title, start date, and work address to your DSO, who will update your SEVIS record. The role must be directly related to your degree field. Provider Relations positions typically satisfy this requirement for graduates in healthcare administration, public health, business, or communications programs.