PreferredOne Introduces Dr. Howard Epstein as Chief Medical Officer

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn., Oct. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- PreferredOne today announced Dr. Howard Epstein as its executive vice president and chief medical officer. Epstein will be responsible for leading innovation and development of clinical programs that improve quality and experience of care while ensuring appropriate, affordable and accessible services for its members within the rapidly changing healthcare marketplace.

"We are truly fortunate to have Dr. Epstein bring his expertise to our team," said Marcus Merz, CEO, PreferredOne. "His experience with multiple care delivery systems, community collaboration and developing care design models will be invaluable as we continue to navigate the changing needs of our members and partners. We look forward to a long and productive working relationship."

Epstein brings more than 20 years of experience to the PreferredOne team. In his previous role as chief health systems officer at the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI), he led healthcare affordability improvement efforts. He also led clinical initiatives such as the RARE Campaign to reduce avoidable hospital readmissions, the Choosing Wisely Minnesota® Campaign to reduce inappropriate use of tests, procedures and treatments, as well as a broad community effort to appropriately manage acute pain and use of opioid pain pills contributing to the growing epidemic of overdoses, heroin addiction, death and crime in our communities.

Prior to ICSI, Epstein was medical director of quality and health management at BlueCross and BlueShield of Minnesota. Epstein began his clinical practice at Regions Hospital & HealthPartners Medical Group where he helped found the hospital medicine and palliative care programs. He received his undergraduate and Doctor of Medicine degrees from Washington University in St. Louis and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Minnesota Hospitals and Clinics. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Society of Hospital Medicine and the Washington University Alumni Board of Governors, and he is an active member of the Tocqueville Society at the Greater Twin Cities United Way, along with his wife, Sara Sternberger.

"Even for the most medically savvy consumer, the healthcare system can be a complex and bewildering maze. It has been my great privilege, whether caring for patients one at a time or at the system and population levels, to help develop safer, better coordinated and patient/family-centered care models that improve both quality outcomes and the overall healthcare experience," said Epstein. 

About PreferredOne
PreferredOne is a Minnesota-based health services company offering employers and individuals a comprehensive range of health benefits services, including insurance products (fully and self-insured) throughout Minnesota and the upper Midwest.

Founded in 1984, PreferredOne is owned by Fairview Health Services, North Memorial Health Care and PreferredOne Physician Associates. PreferredOne offers health insurance administrative services and care networks. PreferredOne's full range of wellness, condition management and health coaching services supports members in reaching their health care goals. PreferredOne offers its plans through three companies, PreferredOne Community Health Plan, PreferredOne Insurance Company and PreferredOne Administrative Services. The company is headquartered in Golden Valley, Minn.

SOURCE PreferredOne