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Suzanne Taylor
Managed Care Contracting – Network Management Executive
I am a passionate healthcare executive in Managed Care Contracting and Network Management with a relentless focus on quality healthcare service delivery. I am known for leadership, integrity, industry acumen, and high emotional intelligence (EI). I am committed to optimizing provider networks for operational efficiency and fair reimbursement while championing provider satisfaction and superior patient outcomes. I am equally adept at managed care and provider facets, emphasizing innovative solutions and fostering sustainable and value-driven relationships across the healthcare continuum.
Currently located in Phoenix, AZ. Open to remote & hybrid.
Experience
Sep 2022 | Jun 2023
Director, Managed Care Contracting
Managed and negotiated contracts in FL, GA, MS, OH, and TX with national payers and regional health plans for home health, hospice, and personal care services. Optimized revenue and collaboration with market leadership and payers daily. Proficient in Medicare Advantage, managed Medicaid, and Commercial products.
Jul 2018 | Jun 2022
Vice President, Network Services
Oversaw provider contracting for myNEXUS home health network, serving major clients like Anthem and Aetna, managing a $60M budget. Expertly built custom networks in 21 states with over 4,000 providers, ensuring compliance with state and public managed care standards. Streamlined inter-departmental collaboration to enhance the provider experience.
Aug 2013 | Jul 2018
National Director, Contracting & Provider Relations
Administered provider network development and management for Medi-Cal and Medicare Advantage in Southern California, contracting with major health systems, medical groups, and physicians. Managed a team of 8, handled 1,200+ national managed care contracts, and supervised a $150M budget. Led contract evaluations for 60 staff model clinics and maintained national oversight for federal medical and dental specialty grants, developing provider contracts and networks to ensure satisfaction and service excellence.
Apr 2010 | Feb 2013
Vice President, Network Development
Managed regional contract and network management for the Western region, including a $100M budget and a team of 6 in network development. Directed healthcare services contracting, including hospitals, physicians, and ancillary providers across PPO, Workers' Comp, Auto Medical, Out-of-Network Solutions, and Dental. Analyzed claims data to pinpoint savings opportunities, fostered key provider relationship building, and collaborated on revenue growth strategies, consistently exceeding network goals and driving client savings and business expansion.
Jan 2007 | Aug 2010
Vice President, National Contracting
Managed a team of 15, overseeing a $125M budget at Beech Street. Led Western Region's provider contracting across 10 states before progressing to VP, National Contracting in 2009. Directed multi-site national provider agreements and collaborated with regional leaders on contract implementation, ensuring performance through analytical tools.
Results
Leveraged analytics for value-based agreements, saving a client $1.9M.
Achieved an 8% revenue increase and reduced payer bad debt by 10% by optimizing physician-payer contracts, addressing payer issues, and enhancing payer education.
Reduced OON (Out-of-network) expenses by 18% and increased new provider contracts by 12% by analyzing OON claims and expanding product participation.
Expertise
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Network Development
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Contract Negotiations
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Health Plan Operations
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Dissemination
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Value-based Solutions
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Network Performance
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Network Administration
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Process Improvement
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State & Federal Laws
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Operations
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Strategic Planning
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Policies and Procedures
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Project Management
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Issue Resolution
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Leadership
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Data Analysis
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Staff Development
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Training
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Quality Management
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Contract Compliance
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Outcomes
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Budget & Forecasting
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Market Analysis
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Network Analytics
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Presentations
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Sales Collaboration
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Client Specific Development
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Organization Skills
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Strategic Thinking
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Interpersonal Communication
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Analytical Skills
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Rapid Growth
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Strategic Accounts
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Fast-Paced
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Critical Thinking
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Problem-Solving
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Critical Thinking
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Data Analysis
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Interpersonal Skills
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Voice of the Customer
Education
Executive Master of Business Administration (eMBA)
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Nursing – Registered Nurse
Meet Suzanne
Q & A
Why did you choose your profession?
I have always been one who is driven my purpose. In my nursing care it was taking the best care of patients possible. Later, after moving into more of a business path, my purpose was to make sure we had a smooth and efficient process to provide the best provider network we could to support members of my organizations while giving excellent provider relation functions for a satisfying provider experience.
Who are your main influences?
I have been strongly influenced by my parents, who set an excellent example of a strong work ethic and living with integrity in both my personal and later, my professional life. Integrity leads to honesty and doing the right thing, which has served me well in business.
What is your greatest accomplishment?
The greatest challenge and subsequent accomplishment is surviving the sudden and accidental death of my daughter, who is forever 24 years old. No parent can understand what it is like to have your child die. It changes you in ways you cannot imagine. But with time and support of people who care about me I am very proud of the life I have created without her in this life. The biggest part of this is I am certain my daughter is also very proud.
What are your long-term goals?
To find and affiliate with an organization that will embrace my skills and abilities, challenge me, and allow me the latitude to contribute at a very high level to our organization's success.
Do you live by any piece of advice or motto?
"If you have a strong purpose in life you don't have to be pushed. Your passion will drive you there."
-Roy T Bennett - The Light of the Heart
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about making a difference, small or large. I want my efforts to be impactful. As a nurse I was validated often and could see the difference I made. In business it has been a bit harder. But when I look at the teams I have led and the accomplishments we have achieved I know our efforts, and mine as a leader, have been impactful.
What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute to your success, and why?
My strength. It serves me well in both my personal and professional life. With that comes performing very well under pressure and being a problem-solver. I also take initiative rather than always waiting for direction.
What is the one thing you need to know about your co-workers?
I need to know that my teammates are on the same page with me and our organization. As far as with co-workers I need to know very early on who I can trust and build rapport with them, especially if they are within departments my efforts impact.
Do you have a favorite season?
I enjoy spring as the season of renewal after winter. It's a chance to renew, recharge and enjoy the remainder of the year ahead.
What life circumstance has most shaped your world view?
The death of my child completely changed my life and hence, my perspective on life. I am much more tolerant and aware of the fragility of our existence. As such I am braver in making time for the people and events that are most important to me and I worry far less about my ability to be a pleaser or a perfectionist. I am still harder on myself than anyone else would ever be, but I live an authentic life and make no apology for it.
If you were an action figure, what accessories would you be sold with?
I'd want the ability to fly (wings would be cool) and have a cloaking ability. I think it would be fascinating to observe people while being undetected, like the "fly on the wall".
Testimonials
"Suzanne's insights and skills with both clinical and provider network operations are invaluable. Suzanne and I collaborated on successful projects and implementations that were delivered on time and greatly benefited the business. Suzanne's integrity is admirable as is her desire to do things right the first time. I enjoyed working with Suzanne and look forward to any future opportunities to work with her again."
Teri Pung, National Director
Claims and Claims Management
myNEXUS
"I worked with Suzanne at Viant when she was VP of Contracting. I found Suzanne to be a great leader, and she worked collaboratively with my team and me to ensure client satisfaction. Suzanne took client feedback and incorporated it into her business plan, always providing feedback on her team's progress. We would meet with clients jointly and I could always count on Suzanne to impress the clients with her input and knowledge. Suzanne is a true professional and a joy to work with."
Joanie Tardie, AVP of Account Management - Viant
I worked with Suzanne in the industry for 20 years. I had the privilege of working directly for her directly managing national ancillary provided across the US and with major health systems, as well as regional providers in the state of Nevada. Suzanne always provided her team direction to successfully manage our areas of responsibility and made proper resources, business intelligence and other resource tools available to enhance our team's successful contracting. She was an excellent communicator internally since our efforts had direct impact on several internal departments. Suzanne believes in building relationships with providers and maintaining relationships to facilitate our success in every capacity. Suzanne possesses a n unique combination of nursing experience and business acumen which served her well in understanding member needs, provider needs and how to marry these to support our organizations' business.
Dana Drew, National Director of Managed Care,
HST, a Multiplan Company
Interests & Hobbies
Crafting
Travel
