A health care provider who has a contract with your health insurer to deliver services to you at a reduced rate (as compared to non-contracted health care providers).
Review your policy to see if you or your covered dependent(s) can see all preferred providers or if your health insurance has a “tiered” network and you must pay extra to see some providers.
Your health insurance may have preferred providers who are also “participating” providers. Participating providers also contract with your health insurer, but the discount may not be as great, and you may have to pay more.