Connect for Health Colorado® Board Selects CEO Finalist

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Luke Clarke, Director of Communications
720.496.2545
[email protected]

DENVER (April 1, 2015) – The Connect for Health Colorado® Board of Directors today unanimously named long-time healthcare executive Robert (Bob) C. Malone as the finalist to fill the Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director role for Colorado’s Marketplace.

Under regulations and state law that established Connect for Health Colorado (Colorado Health Benefit Exchange) as a public non-profit organization, there is a formal process for selecting and hiring a CEO: The Board must post the name of the CEO finalist; allow the public to comment about the selection for 14 days; and obtain approval from the Legislative Health Benefit Exchange Implementation Review Committee before formally offering and hiring for the post.

Connect for Health Colorado Interim CEO Gary Drews, who did not seek the permanent position, will continue to serve the organization and help in the transition once a new CEO is hired.

“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,” says Board Chair Sharon O’Hara. “Bob has broad insurance industry and business expertise, and he brings new ideas and enthusiasm for advancing our Marketplace to serve Coloradans.”

Malone brings nearly 30 years of experience across the insurance, brokerage, claims and cost containment industries. In 2013 he was named Chief Executive of The Assist Group in Lakewood, CO, which provided high-dollar 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.

“This is a great opportunity and challenge,” Malone says. “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.”

Before leading The Assist Group, Malone was a consultant for MVP Healthcare, a New York regional health insurance company. His experience also includes serving 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.
Those who wish to submit public comments can email the Connect for Health Colorado Board at:  [email protected]

About Connect for Health Colorado
Connect for Health Colorado is a public, non-profit entity established in law by the Colorado General Assembly in 2011. A health insurance Marketplace built just for Colorado, it launched on Oct. 1, 2013 for individuals, families and small employers to compare and buy health insurance and apply for tax credits to help make their insurance more affordable. Customers can shop online; get help by phone or chat from expert Customer Service Center representatives; and find in-person assistance from certified Brokers, community based certified Health Coverage Guides or Certified Application Counselors. For more information: www.connectforhealthco.com