The Connect for Health Colorado board Wednesday named a health care executive with 30 years’ experience, Robert C. Malone, as its candidate for chief executive.
Under state law, the board posts the name of the finalist, takes public comment on the selection for 14 days, and then seeks approval from the Legislative Health Benefit Exchange Implementation Review Committee before formally offering the job.
Connect for Health Colorado interim CEO Gary Drews, who did not seek the permanent position, will stay on to help with the transition once the new CEO is hired. He stepped in to temporarily replace the state health insurance exchange’s first CEO, Patty Fontneau, who left in July to work for Cigna.
“We did an extensive national search to find the right person to lead Connect for Health Colorado through its transition as a start-up to a fully sustainable marketplace that serves the people of our state well into the future,” board chair Sharon O’Hara said in a statement posted on the exchange’s website. “Bob has broad insurance industry and business expertise, and he brings new ideas and enthusiasm for advancing our Marketplace to serve Coloradans.”
Malone has 30 years of experience in insurance, brokerage, claims and cost-containment industries. In 2013 he was named chief executive of The Assist Group in Lakewood, which provided claim review and resolution services to health plans, reinsurers, managing underwriters and third party administrators. He oversaw the acquisition of The Assist Group by Equian in January 2015.
Before leading The Assist Group, Malone was a consultant for MP Healthcare, a New York regional health insurance company. He also served as president and CEO of Premier Healthcare Exchange (PHX); senior vice President and chief operating officer, Global Specialty Division, for Willis North America; vice president of Direct/Group Sales and Marketing for USI; executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Amalgamated Life Insurance Co. and president of their subsidiary Alicare, Inc. the country’s largest union-owned third-party administrator.
People who wish to submit comments on Malone’s candidacy can email Connect for Health at: board@connectforhealthco.com.
“This is a great opportunity and challenge,” Malone said in a statement. “Colorado’s Marketplace has been a leader in the country among state-based exchanges, and it’s at a critical point in its growth. I’d be honored to work with all the stakeholders across the state who are so committed to its success. My job and our mission will be that everyone in Colorado who wants health insurance has it.”
Date: April 1, 2015