US customer-owned health insurer Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) has overhauled its senior leadership team.
The changes see Dr Opella Ernest, chief operating officer, take on a new role effective immediately as executive vice president, HCSC commercial markets. Dr Ernest assumes responsibility for the company’s five BCBS health plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas as well as national account growth, clinical and pharmacy operations and analytics. She succeeds Jeff Tikkanen, who announced he will retire from HCSC in March 2023.
Mike Frank, senior vice president, pharmacy and ancillary business, becomes senior vice president, chief operating officer and will lead HCSC’s IT and customer service organisations. Dr Ernest and Frank will report to Maurice Smith, president and CEO of HCSC.
Jeff Tikkanen, executive vice president, commercial markets, moves to an advisory role focused on market initiatives including national account strategy and key client relationships ahead of his retirement in March 2023.
Maurice Smith, president and CEO of HCSC, said: “As our strategic priorities evolve, so does our organisational structure.
“Our continued focus on building our leadership bench strength allows us to continue to execute on our strategy – to expand health care access, to deepen relationships in our communities and to advance our mission and commitments to remain the health coverage partner of choice for our stakeholders. HCSC has an action-oriented leadership team that is a result of a long-standing focus on attracting and growing top talent.
“These leadership changes will position the company for continued growth and demonstrate the strength of the HCSC management bench.
“Opella and Mike’s leadership has been instrumental in both advancing and driving HCSC strategy over the last few years. In their new roles, we will see them have even greater impact on the company’s success in the future.”