Healthcare Contracts & Vendor Management Leader
Open To Work
CASSANDRA R. WINSTON
TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION (HHSC)
Coppell,TX
Work Preference
Job Search Status:
Open to workDesired Job Title
Healthcare Contracts ManagerSenior Vendor Relations ManagerContract Administration ManagerHealthcare Operations ManagerStrategic Sourcing and Procurement ManagerWork Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
RemoteHybridOn-SiteLocation:
Coppell, TXDallas, TXPlano, TXGrapevine, TXFlower Mound, TXOpen to relocation:
NoImportant To Me
Career advancementWork-life balanceCompany CultureFlexible work hoursPersonal development programsHealthcare benefitsWork from home optionPaid time offPaid sick leave401k matchStock Options / Equity / Profit SharingTeam Building / Company RetreatsSummary
Healthcare contracts, procurement, and vendor management professional with 10+ years of experience across regulated healthcare, public-sector operations, and team leadership. Administer 25+ healthcare vendor contracts representing approximately $20 million in annual value for Texas Health and Human Services. Expertise includes contract lifecycle management, supplier and bid evaluation, pricing analysis, negotiations, vendor performance, Medicaid operations, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder coordination. MBA in Healthcare Management and Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM), with documented contributions to 12% vendor cost savings, 18% workflow improvement, and 100% audit readiness across assigned files.
1
Certification
19
Years of experience
Work History
Contract Specialist III
2 Years 1 Month- Oversaw end-to-end procurement and contract administration for 25+ healthcare vendors, including bidding coordination, supplier review, amendment and renewal administration, performance monitoring, and complete documentation.
- Assessed bid quotes, pricing structures, scope-of-work details, supplier qualification documentation, contract terms, and service requirements to support sourcing selection and mitigate financial and compliance risk.
- Coordinated supplier and provider communications, aligned social work, finance, and program leadership stakeholders to resolve contract billing authorization and equipment-delivery issues.
- Developed Excel dashboards for vendor tracking and created reporting for ongoing monitoring; maintained CAPPs financial records with audit-ready documentation.
- Served diverse clientele and sustained high-quality customer service delivery in high-stress environments.
- Reviewed joint venture parameters and drafted contract framework covering key agreement terms.
- Analyzed contract plans and project specifics to confirm clear understanding of project terms, deliverables, and requirements.
- Executed in-depth market research, evaluated acquisition opportunities, identified optimal acquisition strategies, and prepared acquisition contracts for approval.
- Supported contract issue resolution by assisting contract and legal professionals with review of contract changes and related developments.
- Executed bimonthly vulnerability assessments, evaluated findings, and produced targeted countermeasures in response to emerging issues.
- Coordinated communication with market contacts to drive resolution of vendor issues for all regions in Texas.
- Partnered with outside organizations and financial management analysts to negotiate and finalize contract details.
- Analyzed current contract terms to identify upcoming expiration dates and coordinated stakeholder discussions to evaluate renewal options and re-negotiation needs.
Human Services Specialist V
1 Year 8 Months- Coordinated Medicaid-related medical services, coverage verification, provider engagement, prior authorizations, and complex service requests.
- Reviewed Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial insurance claims, billing records, and authorization documentation; partnered with payers and providers to resolve reimbursement, eligibility, and access issues.
- Collaborated with claims department and industry anti-fraud organizations to resolve claims.
- Established positive and trusting relationships with injured clients, administering efficient customer service and processing claims quickly.
- Tracked and reported on claims processing metrics to aid senior management in making informed decisions.
- Developed and implemented quality assurance processes to check accuracy of claims processing.
- Identified and reported potential fraud or abuse related to claims to protect system's integrity.
- Utilized specialized software to process incoming claims, enter data and generate reports.
- Managed workload and priorities to meet claims processing meet deadlines.
- Utilized excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to quickly and accurately assess insurance claims.
- Generated, posted and attached information to claim files.
- Coordinated with contracting department to resolve payer issues.
Claims Specialist
10 Months- Investigated insurance claims; assessed policy terms, liability, financial records, and supporting evidence; negotiated resolutions and documented compliant outcomes.
- Followed up with customers on unresolved issues.
- Reviewed insurance and claims documents to verify required information and secure any missing data for settlements.
- Evaluated and settled complex insurance claims in strict timeframes.
- Worked with claims adjusters and examiners to expedite processing in alignment with procedures.
- Posted payments to accounts and maintained records.
- Maintained confidentiality of patient finances, records, and health statuses.
- Made contact with insurance carriers to discuss policies and individual patient benefits.
- Maintained strong knowledge of basic medical terminology to better understand services and procedures.
- Determined appropriateness of payers to protect organization and minimize risk.
- Modified, updated and processed existing policies.
- Assured timely verification of insurance benefits prior to patient procedures or appointments.
- Checked documentation for accuracy and validity on updated systems.
- Notified insurance agents and accounting departments of policy cancellations and changes.
Senior Intake Specialist - Behavioral Health
6 Years- Coordinated behavioral health intake, insurance verification, prior authorizations, payer / provider communication, scheduling, and confidential patient records.
- Collected, verified, recorded and processed client demographics, insurance payments, and referral information.
- Communicated with referral sources, physicians, and associated staff to check documentation for proper signatures.
- Supported office staff and operational requirements with administrative tasks.
- Completed intake assessment forms and filed clients' charts.
- Maintained accurate and up-to-date client records.
- Collaborated with various stakeholders to promote social services.
- Assisted in conducting needs assessments to identify key areas of service needs.
- Developed and maintained relationships with community organizations and agencies.
- Developed and maintained accurate records of programs and services.
Case Management Supervisor
2 Years 6 Months- Supervised case management staff, prioritized workloads, reviewed cases for quality and regulatory compliance, and provided coaching, technical guidance, and issue escalation.
- Collaborated with providers, families, agency staff, and community partners on placement services, confidential documentation, and corrective follow-up.
- Streamlined, standardized and implemented case management processes and techniques to maximize revenue cycle.
- Structured standardized case management processes to comply with regulatory agency statutes and standards.
- Developed and administered budgets, authorized expenditures and monitored financial indicators to improve profitability.
- Served as corporate resource for compliance and audits to facilitate legal process and appeals.
- Leveraged case management tools and conflict management techniques to help interdisciplinary teams achieve optimal outcomes.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to facilitate client care and reduce case management barriers.
- Partnered with physicians, social workers, activity therapists, nutritionists, and case managers to develop and implement individualized care plans and documented patient interactions and interventions in electronic charting systems.
- Monitored clients' progress and tracked client services to provide crisis interventions.
- Assisted clients in navigating housing, legal services and public benefits to gain access to valuable resources.
- Facilitated individual and group sessions to promote positive behavior change for clients.
- Coordinated services with other agencies, community-based organizations, and healthcare professionals to provide useful benefits to clients.
Case Management Supervisor
2 Years- Directed daily case-management activities, coached staff, monitored caseloads, and reviewed child-placing documentation against policy, timeliness, and compliance requirements.
- Coordinated families, providers, and agency teams to resolve service issues and maintain accurate regulated case records.
- Streamlined, standardized and implemented case management processes and techniques to maximize revenue cycle.
- Structured standardized case management processes to comply with regulatory agency statutes and standards.
- Coordinated services with other agencies, community-based organizations, and healthcare professionals to provide useful benefits to clients.
- Partnered with physicians, social workers, activity therapists, nutritionists, and case managers to develop and implement individualized care plans and documented patient interactions and interventions in electronic charting systems.
- Assisted clients in navigating housing, legal services and public benefits to gain access to valuable resources.
- Served as corporate resource for compliance and audits to facilitate legal process and appeals.
- Monitored program performance and outcomes for successful delivery of services.
- Referred clients to appropriate team members, community agencies and organizations to meet treatment needs.
Assistant Operations Manager
4 Years 8 Months- Supported long-term-care operations, supplier service agreements, vendor communications, contract renewal tracking, and continuity of resident services.
- Helped team members maintain business professionalism by coaching each on methods for delivering exceptional service to every customer.
- Coordinated with General Manager in different operational issues and promotional activities.
- Managed purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations efficiently.
- Tracked trends and suggested enhancements to both challenge and refine company's product offerings.
- Reduced financial inconsistencies while assessing and verifying billing invoices and expense reports.
- Implemented innovative programs to increase employee loyalty and reduce turnover.
- Reduced operational risks while organizing data to forecast performance trends.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
- Updated and resolved incidents and managed accessorial charges objectively while maximizing profit.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
- Negotiated price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Healthcare Management
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Healthcare Management
Skills
Healthcare Contract Management | Strategic Sourcing | Procurement Operations | Vendor / Supplier Relationship Management | RFPs
Bids & Quote Evaluation | Contract Negotiation & Renewals | Supplier Performance & SLA Monitoring | Cost Reduction & Pricing Analysis | Contract Risk & Compliance | Financial & Invoice Review | Medicaid / Medicare Operations | Provider / Payer Coordination | KPI Dashboards & Reporting | Process Improvement | Staff Supervision & Coaching
CAPPS Financials | Advanced Microsoft Excel (Dashboards
KPIs
Vendor Tracking) | Microsoft Word & PowerPoint | Contract Databases | Documentation & Version Control | Performance Reporting
Certification
Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) | Licensed Child Placing Agency Administrator (LCPAA) | Community Health Worker (CHW)
Accomplishments
- Administer 25+ active healthcare vendor contracts with approximately $20M in annual contract value.
- Contributed to approximately 12% vendor cost savings through price comparison, contract analysis, and negotiation support.
- Improved contract and procurement tracking workflow efficiency by approximately 18%; maintained 100% audit readiness across assigned documentation.
Timeline
Contract Specialist III
TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION (HHSC)
09.2024 - Current
Human Services Specialist V
TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION (HHSC)
01.2023 - 09.2024
Claims Specialist
STATE FARM
01.2022 - 11.2022
Case Management Supervisor
CAREGIVERS YOUTH
01.2017 - 07.2019
Senior Intake Specialist - Behavioral Health
TO BECOME A BUTTERFLY COUNSELING SERVICES
01.2016 - 01.2022
Case Management Supervisor
ADVANTAGE ADOPTIONS
01.2015 - 01.2017
Assistant Operations Manager
TENSAS PARISH NURSING HOME
07.2007 - 03.2012
American InterContinental University
Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Healthcare Management
South University
Bachelor of Science (BS) from Healthcare Management