Premera Blue Cross Promotes Clinician to Executive Management Team

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash., Oct. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Premera Blue Cross announced today that Dr. John Espinola has been promoted to the position of Executive Vice President of Health Care Services. In his new role, Dr. Espinola will further develop Premera's relationship with healthcare providers as part of Premera's continuing efforts to improve its members' healthcare experience and provide them with access to quality, safe and cost-effective care. He will work closely with Jeff Roe, Premera's new chief executive officer, and will drive the provider strategy for the organization.

"Dr. Espinola's combination of clinical background, business acumen, customer focus, and record of achievement makes him well qualified to lead Premera's Health Care Services team," said Roe. "Having worked as a licensed provider, Dr. Espinola understands the opportunities healthcare professionals have to improve the health and healthcare experience of customers. We are very fortunate to have Dr. Espinola join our Executive Management Team and be an instrumental part of Premera's future."

Dr. Espinola has more than 15 years of experience in Geriatric Medicine in group and private practices and over 10 years working directly with health plans. He joined Premera in 2010 as the Medical Director for Utilization Management and most recently he served as the Vice President for Quality, Medical Management and Provider Engagement.  Prior to Premera, Dr. Espinola served as the National Medical Director at Essence Healthcare and as the Executive Director and Medical Director at Evercare, a division of UnitedHealth Group.

"Being a physician and also working for a health plan allows me to understand both sides of the equation and bring valuable perspective," said Dr. Espinola. "Moving into my new role, I look forward to collaborating with the provider community to develop creative sustainable solutions that improve the cost, quality and experience of the healthcare our members receive."

Dr. Espinola holds a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross, his M.D. and Masters of Public Health from Tufts University School of Medicine and an M.B.A. from the University of Washington. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Scripps Clinic and completed his clinical fellowship and senior research fellowship in geriatric medicine at Harborview Medical Center.

About Premera Blue Cross

Premera Blue Cross is a leading health plan in the Pacific Northwest, providing comprehensive health benefits and tailored services to more than 1.6 million people, from individuals to Fortune 100 companies. Premera is committed to providing its members peace of mind about their healthcare. The company offers innovative health and wellness solutions focused on quality outcomes for patients and controlling costs. Premera Blue Cross, which has operated in Washington since 1933, is a not-for-profit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Premera Blue Cross is a member of a family of companies based in Mountlake Terrace, Wash., providing health, life, vision, dental, stop-loss, disability, workforce wellness and other related products and services. The family of companies employs over 3,600 people and provides healthcare coverage and related services to over 1.9 million members.

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SOURCE Premera Blue Cross