BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), today announced the appointment of Jay Gonzalez as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2014. Mr. Gonzalez will serve as Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer for the remainder of 2013, in order to comply with state ethics laws which prohibit him from overseeing CeltiCare’s work under existing contracts with the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority (Connector). Bob LoNigro will continue to serve as interim President and Chief Executive Officer for CeltiCare until the transition on January 1, 2014.
Effective March 4, 2013, Mr. Gonzalez will oversee CeltiCare’s new business efforts and will assist Centene in business development opportunities in other states, including New Hampshire.
Since 2007, Mr. Gonzalez served in the Executive Office for Administration and Finance for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, most recently as Secretary of Administration and Finance. In that role, Mr. Gonzalez successfully managed state finances through unprecedented fiscal challenges and helped the state earn the highest credit ratings in state history. In addition, he served as the Chair of the Board for the Connector. The Connector is the state entity responsible for implementing health care reform in Massachusetts and has served as the model for health insurance exchanges being created across the country under national health reform.
“Mr. Gonzalez is a seasoned executive with a wealth of knowledge around public policy. His leadership will be critical for our New England markets, as well as for Centene as we leverage his expertise with exchange-based solutions nationally,” said Rone Baldwin, Executive Vice President, Insurance Group, for Centene.
Prior to joining the Commonwealth, Mr. Gonzalez was a partner at the law firm Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP where he specialized in public finance. Mr. Gonzalez received his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
About CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts
Founded in 2009, Boston-based CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts is a managed care organization that provides high-quality, cost-effective health insurance to Massachusetts residents. CeltiCare is committed to helping its members achieve better health outcomes by providing high-quality benefits, services and wellness education. Backed by parent company Centene Corporation, CeltiCare offers a new form of local managed care that is tailored to the needs of Massachusetts’ progressive healthcare system.
About Centene Corporation
Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to the rising number of under-insured and uninsured individuals. Many receive benefits provided under Medicaid, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care and long-term care, in addition to other state-sponsored programs, and Medicare (Special Needs Plans). Centene's CeltiCare subsidiary offers states unique, "exchange based" and other cost-effective coverage solutions for low-income populations. The Company operates local health plans and offers a range of health insurance solutions. It also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, life and health management, managed vision, telehealth services, and pharmacy benefits management. More information regarding Centene is available at www.centene.com.