ALBUQUERQUE – January 2, 2019 –After a year of profitability and growth, True Health New Mexico announced today a new local Plan President and several key promotions. The new leadership structure will position True Health for further expansion, both of its membership and its mission, according to CEO Martin Hickey, who will remain as CEO while taking on a broader role with parent company Evolent Health.
Dr. Hickey was the founding CEO of New Mexico Health Connections (NMHC), the state’s nonprofit consumer oriented and operated health plan (CO-OP), which was established through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). He led NMHC through the challenging first years of the ACA and successfully established the partnership with Evolent Health that resulted in the creation of True Health New Mexico. While Dr. Hickey will now focus significantly on working with Evolent Health, he will continue to serve as the CEO of True Health New Mexico.
“In close partnership with our parent company, Evolent Health, True Health New Mexico has continued to deliver high-quality, effective medical management for our members, which is making a measurable difference in people’s health and well-being,” said Dr. Hickey. “New Mexico is leading the way in this initiative and will serve as a model for other health care organizations around the country.”
Dr. Mark Epstein is the new Plan President. As Chief Medical Officer, first for New Mexico Health Connections and then for True Health New Mexico, Dr. Epstein developed the health plan’s innovative and high-impact approach using advanced analytics and robust care management to address health issues upstream, delivering on improved outcomes at lower costs. As President, he is responsible for statewide health plan operations and performance.
“Because of our innovative methodology, we have been able to provide cost-effective health plan options for New Mexicans,” said Dr. Epstein. “As we head into 2019, we anticipate building on our strong performance from last year, continuing to deliver high-quality care for our members and making a significant impact on the health of our communities.”
Dr. Kiko Torres, True Health New Mexico’s Senior Medical Director and early developer of its population health management approach, will assume the role of Chief Medical Officer for True Health New Mexico. As Chief Medical Officer, he is responsible for furthering the plan performance on keeping the membership at the highest health status possible.
The alignment of technology, people, and process drives True Health New Mexico’s success in managing member care. In partnership with Evolent Health, the health plan leverages diagnostic and actuarial analyses to be able to provide cutting-edge health care management to New Mexicans. To oversee these critical functions, Myja Peterson has been named Chief Business Intelligence Officer, having previously served as True Health’s Senior Director of Analytics. She will oversee the health plan’s data and analytics, information technology, and project management office.
“Health care is an ever-evolving industry. New opportunities, as well as challenges, are presented every day as we strive to help members, their families, and their communities achieve optimum health,” said Dr. Epstein. “With these leadership announcements, True Health New Mexico is very well positioned to provide its unique model of care management to more New Mexicans in 2019 and thereafter.”
About True Health New Mexico
True Health New Mexico is a physician-led health plan committed to keeping New Mexicans healthy. True Health New Mexico is available through the commercial market for employer-sponsored health coverage and is dedicated to lowering premium costs, delivering appropriate levels of care, and providing community-based case management to ensure members are well cared for. For more information on True Health New Mexico, go here.
About Evolent Health
Evolent Health partners with leading provider organizations to achieve superior clinical and financial results in value-based care and under full-risk arrangements. With a provider heritage and over 20 years of health plan administration experience, Evolent operates in more than 30 U.S. health care markets, actively managing care across Medicare, Medicaid, commercial, and self-funded adult and pediatric populations. With the experience to drive change, Evolent confidently stands by a commitment to achieve results. For more information, visit here.