Kris Atkins is the Director of Provider Relations and Professional Services at LifeHealth, where she leads the development and management of the nationwide LifeHealth Provider Network. With over 30 years of experience in healthcare and health insurance, Kris brings a diverse skill set to her role, including expertise in negotiation, contracting, program development, credentialing, medical staff management, and call center operations.
Kris’s extensive background includes a tenure at Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA, a BC/BS Licensee), where she played a pivotal role in project management, strategic relationships, and the implementation of new payment models. As Manager of Provider Engagement, she worked closely with provider organizations to manage pilot programs, special contracts, and cost-of-care initiatives. Prior to her work in Hawaii, Kris was a project manager at Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, Washington, gaining valuable experience in Medicare Advantage, regulatory compliance, and community relations.
In addition to her provider relations experience, Kris has designed, developed, and managed customer service call centers for national Medicare products, as well as led internal sales teams. She also owned and operated a centralized verification organization, providing credentialing services and accreditation preparation consulting for health plans and health systems.
Kris is passionate about creating innovative solutions and fostering collaborative relationships with providers to build a high-performing, high-quality provider network. She holds a B.A. from DePaul University and a Certificate in Project Management from Everett Community College. Originally from Washington State, Kris now resides in Aberdeen, Maryland with her husband and their two rescue pups.
