Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Natalie Kraus

Parker,CO

Summary

Dynamic healthcare leader with over 10 years of expertise in driving value-based care operations, payer-aligned programs, and transformative care delivery across diverse healthcare environments. Proven track record in negotiating favorable payer contracts, managing risk-based arrangements, and developing scalable care delivery models that enhance patient access and improve financial performance. Skilled in cross-functional execution and adept at cultivating strong payer relationships, leveraging data insights to inform reimbursement strategies and partnership development. Committed to advancing healthcare outcomes through innovative solutions and strategic collaboration.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Head of New Market Implementation and Operations

Guaranteed Health
01.2024 - Current

Lead national expansion of value-based end-of-life care programs, overseeing go-to-market strategy, payer and provider partnerships, and translating contracts into scalable, financially sustainable models supported by multidisciplinary teams and technology.

  • Operationalize value-based care contracts into scalable, financially sustainable programs by aligning staffing models, technology platforms, and clinical workflows with contract requirements.
  • Negotiate partnership terms and rates with regional payers to drive patient access and network adequacy.
  • Created and deployed a standardized VBC operations playbook used across all markets, reducing onboarding time by 25% and enabling faster, more consistent program launches.
  • Advise executive leadership on payer strategy, market positioning, and opportunities to expand behavioral health-aligned programming.
  • Led provider network development and care model design for all new markets, resulting in operational readiness for 4,000+ covered lives and enabling go-live within 90 days of contract execution.

Multiple Roles (See Below)

Strive Health
01.2022 - 01.2024

Advanced through market development and operations roles at a national value-based kidney care provider, managing CKD/ESKD programs under risk-based contracts while leading teams, executing payer agreements, and optimizing care models through data-driven collaboration.

Senior Manager, Operations

Strive Health
01.2023 - 01.2024
  • Oversaw VBC program operations for CKD/ESKD populations across 3 states and 1,200+ patients, improving contract compliance and clinical outcomes while supporting financial performance under global risk arrangements.
  • Managed VBC operating rhythm, including regular review of performance metrics, clinical dashboards, and payer alignment goals.
  • Piloted a care delivery model integrating HCC and care gap workflows, resulting in a 15% improvement in RAF score accuracy and a 12% increase in quality bonus attainment over two quarters.
  • Collaborated with finance to analyze client-level profitability and adjust partnership terms to align incentives.
  • Built relationships with local and national payers to strengthen engagement and unlock new patient access pathways.

Program Manager, Market Development

Strive Health
01.2022 - 01.2023
  • Created standardized, payer-aligned implementation plans adopted across 6 markets, achieving 100% on-time launch and operational readiness for multidisciplinary care teams managing CKD/ESKD populations.
  • Led market launch strategy for six new regions and developed operational plans for payer-driven CKD/ESKD programs.
  • Supported execution of 4 payer contracts, overseeing onboarding processes that ensured compliant VBC program launches in 6 new markets, reducing time-to-implementation by 20%.
  • Coordinated 5+ cross-functional teams across operations, clinical, legal, and product to align care models with Medicare Advantage contractual requirements, supporting seamless delivery of VBC programs across multiple states.
  • Reported on reimbursement trends and performance metrics to support contract renegotiations and risk-sharing models.

Manager, Clinical Effectiveness

Children's Hospital Colorado
01.2021 - 01.2022

Directed clinical quality initiatives to improve outcomes, reduce utilization, and align with value-based payment programs by leading organization-wide improvements, implementing decision tools, and optimizing care delivery in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

  • Developed and managed 5+ clinical improvement initiatives, resulting in a 15% reduction in avoidable ED visits and improved patient outcomes across 3 high-volume service lines.
  • Designed workflows to improve provider efficiency and support incentive-based performance.
  • Partnered with 5+ cross-functional departments to roll out new clinical and operational processes, achieving 95% adoption rate across pilot units within the first 90 days.
  • Reported to executive leadership on the status, progress, and outcomes of strategic initiatives, providing data-driven insights to guide decision-making and resource allocation.

Multiple Roles (See Below)

Colorado Rural Health Center
01.2016 - 01.2021

Advanced through four leadership roles driving population health, access to care, and rural healthcare transformation by leading statewide programs to expand access, improve quality, and align providers with emerging value-based care models.

Associate Director, Programs and Partnerships

Colorado Rural Health Center
01.2019 - 01.2021
  • Oversaw VBC-aligned population health programs focused on increasing access, improving outcomes, and reducing rural health disparities.
  • Built strategic relationships with regional payers, Medicaid agencies, and state regulators to align programs with reimbursement priorities.
  • Led cross-functional development of a rural data system used to analyze utilization, track outcomes, and inform payer partnership proposals.
  • Reduced Colorado Critical Access Hospital readmission rates from 13% to 5% - with a program designed to enhance communication processes between primary care providers and hospital discharge teams.

Manager, Clinics Program

Colorado Rural Health Center
01.2017 - 01.2019
  • Directed transformation efforts in 20+ rural clinics, guiding implementation of performance improvement plans that increased compliance with CMS quality standards by 25% within one year.
  • Monitored KPIs and aligned programs with strategic goals and payer or funder expectations.
  • Implemented HEDIS-aligned reporting tools across 10 rural clinics, resulting in a 30% increase in preventive screenings and improved chronic disease monitoring for 1,000+ patients.
  • Secured and managed $2.5M+ in federal and state grants, ensuring program sustainability for 18 rural clinics and maintaining compliance across all reporting cycles.

Specialist, Quality Operations

Colorado Rural Health Center
01.2016 - 01.2017
  • Supported quality improvement and compliance efforts in 10+ rural clinics, redesigning workflows that led to a 20% reduction in documentation errors and improved audit readiness across all sites.
  • Advised clinics on regulatory and value-based care readiness.
  • Led 6+ Lean process improvement projects, increasing preventive screening rates by 25% and improving compliance with CMS and state reporting requirements across multiple rural health clinics.
  • Designed and implemented workflows aligned with payer performance programs.

Coordinator, Quality & Compliance

Vibra Hospital
01.2016 - 01.2016
  • Early career roles

Coordinator, Clinic Operations

University of Colorado Boulder
01.2014 - 01.2015
  • Early career roles

Education

Master of Science - Health Services Administration

Regis University
Denver, CO
01.2018

BS - Communications

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ
01.2011

Skills

  • Project management
  • Strategic planning
  • Project implementation
  • Cross-functional communication and collaboration
  • Operations management
  • Analytical problem solving
  • Financial analysis
  • Team leadership
  • Decision-making
  • Strategic communication

Certification

Project Management Professional (PMP)

Timeline

Head of New Market Implementation and Operations

Guaranteed Health
01.2024 - Current

Senior Manager, Operations

Strive Health
01.2023 - 01.2024

Multiple Roles (See Below)

Strive Health
01.2022 - 01.2024

Program Manager, Market Development

Strive Health
01.2022 - 01.2023

Manager, Clinical Effectiveness

Children's Hospital Colorado
01.2021 - 01.2022

Associate Director, Programs and Partnerships

Colorado Rural Health Center
01.2019 - 01.2021

Manager, Clinics Program

Colorado Rural Health Center
01.2017 - 01.2019

Multiple Roles (See Below)

Colorado Rural Health Center
01.2016 - 01.2021

Specialist, Quality Operations

Colorado Rural Health Center
01.2016 - 01.2017

Coordinator, Quality & Compliance

Vibra Hospital
01.2016 - 01.2016

Coordinator, Clinic Operations

University of Colorado Boulder
01.2014 - 01.2015

BS - Communications

Northern Arizona University

Master of Science - Health Services Administration

Regis University