CalPERS Names Blue Shield of California as Sole Health Plan Provider

Stock.adobe.com

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) named Blue Shield of California as its sole health plan provider starting in 2025.

In a press release, Blue Shield stated that it would offer coverage to approximately 400,000 CalPERS PPO plan members in the state. CalPERS has not named a new administrator of its plan in the last 20 years.

In a press release, Blue Shield of California CEO and president Paul Markovich said, “We are thrilled to be selected and have this opportunity to expand our partnership with CalPERS. We believe our work together can serve as a model for affordable health care for the rest of the country and we're eager to get started on delivering access to cost-effective, high-quality care and service to CalPERS and its beneficiaries."

CalPERS’ chief health director also stated, “We are excited to work with Blue Shield of California, which has demonstrated a true commitment to not only make sure CalPERS members are well served, but to help change health care quality and cost for all Californians.”

Tim Lieb, senior vice president of growth at Blue Shield also said, “As the only statewide nonprofit health plan in California, we share CalPERS' commitment to improving the lives of the people we serve. We are excited to continue partnering with CalPERS and Included Health as we lead the way to a healthcare system that is worthy of our family and friends and sustainably affordable."

Blue Shield of California has also recently made new additions to its leadership team. In May of this year, the agency announced that Kassie Maroney had been named as executive vice president and chief actuary.²

In a press release issued at the time, executive vice president and chief financial officer Mike Stuart said, “Kassie Maroney brings deep experience to this position. Her strong business acumen, along with well-aligned leadership abilities in finance and underwriting are integral to this role. Her expertise will help us deliver high-quality affordable health care to the members we serve, and her background closely aligns with our north star of creating a healthcare system worthy of our family and friends that is sustainably affordable."

Earlier in May, the company also announced that Lois Quam had joined as president of Blue Shield of California, while Susan Mullaney had joined as executive vice president of strategic initiatives.³

In a press release issued at the time, Markovich said, “Lois and Susan are dynamic leaders who share our mission-driven passion to think big and be fearless in solving the kinds of complex problems we face in health care. Our current healthcare system is unsustainable and unacceptable. That's why we are running hard and fast with talented leaders to make bold moves that fundamentally change the way our healthcare system works and make it worthy of our family and friends and sustainably affordable for everyone."

In the same press release, Quam said, “I believe California can lead the nation in creative, enduring solutions in health care, and Blue Shield of California is uniquely positioned to lead that charge. I'm honored to join this talented team in making that vision a reality."

Mullaney added, “Health care needs courageous leaders—now more than ever—because we have to do things differently to transform how it works today. Clearly, Blue Shield of California has been doing that and I'm really excited to be part of this team."

Sources

1. CalPERS Selects Blue Shield of California as New Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plan Administrator to Serve 400,000 Members and Their Families. Blue Shield of California. June 12, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/calpers-selects-blue-shield-of-california-as-new-preferred-provider-organization-ppo-plan-administrator-to-serve-400-000-members-and-their-families-302171274.html
2. Kassie Maroney Named Blue Shield of California Senior Vice President and Chief Actuary. Blue Shield of California. May 22, 2024. Accessed June 14, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kassie-maroney-named-blue-shield-of-california-senior-vice-president-and-chief-actuary-302151984.html
3. Blue Shield of California Appoints Senior Executives to Accelerate Healthcare Transformation. Blue Shield of California. May 17, 2024. Accessed June 14, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blue-shield-of-california-appoints-senior-executives-to-accelerate-healthcare-transformation-302149223.html