ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Essence Healthcare, the St. Louis area’s only 4.5-star Medicare Advantage health plan, today announced the appointment of Richard Jones as president and chief executive officer. Jones succeeds Frank Ingari, who is stepping down to become chief executive officer of NaviNet, America’s largest real-time health care communications network for physicians, hospitals and health insurers. Ingari will continue to serve as on the Board of Essence Healthcare.
Lumeris, a sister company of Essence Healthcare that specializes in the enablement of high-performing accountable health care delivery systems, joined with three Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliates to acquire NaviNet earlier this year.
“I’m thrilled to lead a locally owned health plan with such an outstanding national reputation and with such room for growth,” said Jones. “Frank’s experience at Essence will help broaden the functionality of NaviNet’s multi-payer communications platform, which is used by many of the area’s health care providers. I believe that doctors and patients across the St. Louis area will benefit from a joint Lumeris-NaviNet solution that further encourages more coordinated and accountable health care.”
Jones brings more than 20 years of executive experience in health care to his new role at Essence. He is a member of the Essence Healthcare Board of Directors and was formerly the company’s chief financial officer. Jones played an integral part in structuring the accountable care principles and relationships that pioneered Essence’s launch as the premier collaborative payer in the market, allowing it to grow into one of St. Louis’ largest Medicare Advantage plans, with a reputation for exceptionally satisfied members and doctors. Essence Healthcare has revenues of $400 million and a government-issued star rating of 4.5 (out of a possible 5).
“Richard is exceptionally qualified to lead the next chapter of Essence Healthcare’s growth,” Ingari said. “Importantly, he shares the Essence passion to serve as a collaborative ally of both the clinical community and the loyal members who have made us so successful over the years.”
Jones is also a veteran in health care technology, having served in multiple executive positions at Lumeris, including as its founding president. At Lumeris, Jones led business design and guided the first implementation of the company’s accountable care technology outside of St. Louis, with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. He excelled at helping hospitals and health insurance companies adopt the accountable care technologies and services pioneered at Essence Healthcare under his and Ingari’s leadership.
“Frank and I have been close collaborators in building Essence as a true accountable delivery system, and we will continue to develop its technology and service capabilities to deliver the best possible cost and quality outcomes for our members,” Jones said. “My time at Lumeris has exposed me to health care delivery systems throughout the United States, and I see a tremendous opportunity to partner with our provider community and local hospital systems to build the premier accountable delivery system in the country right here in St. Louis.”
ABOUT ESSENCE HEALTHCARE
Essence Healthcare offers people with Medicare comprehensive and affordable health insurance that focuses on wellness, care coordination and personal service. Essence’s Medicare Advantage HMOs bundle hospital, medical and prescription drug coverage together into one plan with one affordable monthly premium, and include additional benefits not covered under the Original Medicare program. Essence’s Medicare Advantage plans are designed and directed in partnership with local doctors, and are among the nation’s highest rated according to the federal agency that administers Medicare.
Essence is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. The star rating referenced in this announcement is specific to Essence contract H2610 for plan year 2012. The reference of “exceptionally satisfied members and doctors” is supported by this star rating and plan-commissioned surveys. Plan performance star ratings are assessed each year and may change from one year to the next. The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information, contact the plan. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, premium and/or co-payments or co-insurance may change on January 1, 2013.