Change Healthcare Names Douglas Ghertner Chief Executive Officer

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Sept. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Change Healthcare, the leading healthcare cost transparency and engagement company, announced today that it has named Douglas Ghertner chief executive officer. Ghertner has served as the company's president since July 2011. Howard McLure, the company's current chairman and chief executive officer, will assume the role of executive chairman of the board. 

"This leadership transition marks an important milestone in Change Healthcare's growth," McLure said. "Over the past year, we have assembled a strong leadership team while expanding our presence in the health plan and self-insured employer markets. Doug has played an instrumental role in our success to date, and his deep expertise in corporate and product strategy will allow us to accelerate the growth of the company and ensure we are well positioned to expand into new market segments. I am pleased that Doug is taking this important role."

Ghertner assumes leadership as Change Healthcare continues to acquire new employer and health plan clients, including the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Change Healthcare's Transparency Messenger platform will be included in the Blues® National Provider Finder tool, which is designed to allow Blue Plan members to better understand and manage their individual out-of-pocket costs. With its current installed base of clients and a contracted backlog of nationally known health plans and employers, the Company expects meaningful additional growth in lives over the next twelve months.

"Employers and health plans have recognized Change Healthcare's Transparency Messenger platform as a leading solution to drive greater healthcare cost transparency and consumer engagement." Ghertner said. "I couldn't be more excited about the opportunity to lead Change Healthcare into the future and look forward to continuing to work closely with Howard as we assume our new roles.  Howard has been a mentor to me over the past 15 years and I've had the good fortune of learning from one of the best."

Prior to joining Change Healthcare, Ghertner spent eight years in leadership positions with CVS Caremark, including his role as senior vice president of client solutions.  Ghertner holds a bachelor's degree with special attainments in commerce from Washington and Lee University and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Georgia.

About Change Healthcare
Change Healthcare Corporation (www.changehealthcare.com) launched in 2007 with a mission to engage consumers in obtaining personalized and actionable cost‐savings information that changes the way they purchase healthcare services. Built on a database of medical, dental and pharmacy claims from a national client base, Change Healthcare delivers substantial savings to health plan members and employers. With an average engagement rate over 50 percent, the company's web‐based solution, Transparency Messenger^TM, is the only tool able to generate and proactively communicate immediate savings opportunities customized to the employee, their plan and local area.

SOURCE Change Healthcare