Provider Advocates
Meet your provider advocates
We have multiple provider advocates serving Nevada. Your advocate is your liaison with the health plan, providing relevant information and education materials. Advocates can help you register and navigate the online provider center. They can also address issues and answer any claims, contract, referral and prior authorization questions you may have.
Click the email link to send your advocate an email.
To speak with a Provider Advocate for Northern Nevada please email NorthernNVProviderAdvocateTe@uhc.com or call the provider advocate line 702-242-7088, Toll Free: 800-745-7065.
- Marti Norris
Provider Relations Manager, Northern and Southern Nevada
702-242-7597
My career in health care started on the provider side in practice management. I moved to the insurance environment to complete my medical experience.
My service philosophy is to create relationships that can make a difference.
My personal passions and hobbies include spending time with my family, entertaining, cooking, and decorating.
- Veronica Ballantine
Provider Advocate, Southern Nevada
702-632-5634
I’ve been in health care over 20 years with experience in medical management and certified billing. I transitioned to provider services to see how I could help from the insurance side.
My service philosophy is to make a positive difference in the lives I touch.
My primary passion is my family. I enjoy time with my children and grandchild. I also like to read and travel.
- Hauley Barbarin
Provider Advocate, Northern Nevada
775-412-9171
I joined UnitedHealthcare in 2017 as a community health worker, helping our members live healthier lives and showing them how to navigate the healthcare system. Then I became a community outreach specialist for Washoe County. As an outreach specialist, I built strong relationships with our community partners to better serve our members. I believe my experience in both of these roles will help me build and maintain strong relationships with our providers and their staff, so they can continue providing the best care for our members.
My service philosophy is to build strong relationships in order to provide the best support I can.
I love spending time with my family and my dogs. I also enjoy reading any chance I get and love all things Harry Potter.
- Randy Fagaragan
Provider Advocate, Southern Nevada
702-240-8854
I’ve worked in health care for over 18 years, 11 of which were in Member Services, taking calls from both members and providers. During that time, as an auditor, it was my job to track, trend and identify areas to improve our customer service.
My service philosophy is to build relationships and resolve issues to create a positive experience.
I’m passionate about my family and friends. As for the hobbies, when there is an opportunity to relax, I’m there!
- Tanya Filo
Provider Advocate, Southern Nevada
702-242-7590
I have been with the company over 10 years in customer service. I enjoy helping people understand the health care process.
I am very excited to utilize my experience in helping providers navigate our health plan. I look forward to building relationships within the provider community. My service philosophy is to assist as quickly as possible to provide a good outcome.
I love spending time with my family and cooking.
- Lisa Gilbert
Provider Advocate, Northern Nevada
952-406-4132
I joined Health Plan of Nevada as a Provider Relations Advocate in October of 2021. My previous role was working with providers on a national level. Now, I’m working with local Northern Nevada providers, where I have called home for over 30 years. I bring my extensive background working in provider relations and contracting with local and national health plans. My skills include customer service, fee schedule and claims review, project management and health care innovation.
My service philosophy is there is no excuse for bad service. The customer is paying for a service and they should get nothing less than excellent service. I’ve been in the Health care Industry for 25 plus years.
I love spending time with family and friends, long walks with our family dog and loyal work companion and decorating for every holiday and season.
- Elmer Griffin
Provider Advocate, Southern Nevada
702-242-7844
I started my health care career over 15 years ago in customer service. I use my past and present experience to support our provider groups, building trust and strong relationships along the way.
My service philosophy is to make sure our clients and customers know they’re important and I’m available to hear their concerns and make knowledgeable recommendations.
I enjoy cooking, baking, and hanging out with my dog. I’m also a board member for a community organization that provides music and art classes to young adults.
- Denise Hanrahan
Dental Provider Advocate, Southern Nevada
702-240-8932
I have always been passionate about health care, I started my career in a dental practice over 20 years ago as an office manager. I have recently joined UnitedHealthcare Nevada and work as a dental advocate. I now enjoy helping providers work with the health plan.
My service philosophy is to establish good working relationships with my providers to ensure that our members receive the best quality care.
I enjoy spending time with my family, swimming, hiking and all outdoor sports.
- Kim Horvath
Provider Advocate, Southern Nevada
702-242-7402
I’ve been with the company for over 15 years and started my health care career as a phlebotomist. I soon moved into customer service and then to provider services. I’ve been with the provider services team for over 10 years and really enjoy working with our provider groups. The relationships I have built over the years make me proud of the service I deliver.
My service philosophy is to provide service with a smile. I am committed to helping those I serve, both internally and externally.
In my spare time, I enjoy watching my daughter play softball and spending time with my dogs, family, and friends.
- Crista Romero
Provider Advocate, Southern Nevada
702-240-8795
I have been in health care for over 15 years. I spent many years as a dental assistant. Then I decided to get my bachelor’s degree in health care administration. I spent five years on the clinical side and decided it was time to expand my knowledge to the insurance side of our company.
Being a provider advocate gives me the best of both worlds. It allows me to visit clinics from time-to-time and still interact with providers and clinical staff.
- Korina Zamora-Deja
Provider Advocate, Southern Nevada
702-243-8492
I have been in the health care delivery system for over 12 years. I was an office manager in a pain management clinic before taking my experience to the health plan side. I feel the skills developed along my career path fit well with the roll of provider advocate.
My service philosophy is to create and nurture positive provider relationships.
I enjoy spending time with family, friends and my dog, and working on our house.
