MIRAMAR, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Univita Health, the nationwide leader in post-acute and home healthcare solutions, has appointed Darwin Caraballo, M.D., as Senior Vice President and Medical Director. Dr. Caraballo is a family medicine, board-certified physician who brings more than 15 years of leadership experience with deep managed care knowledge and expertise in utilization and care management strategies.
Prior to joining Univita, Dr. Caraballo served as the Senior Medical Director at Simply Healthcare Plans. Simply Healthcare Plans and its affiliates, Better Health and Clear Health Alliance, are part of Anthem BlueCross & BlueShield and serve more than 200,000 Medicare and Medicaid members in 60 Florida counties. At Simply Healthcare, Dr. Caraballo was responsible for case review and led the plan’s unique programs for Medicare Advantage and special needs members, including discharge planning, transition of care, and coordination of care. He also implemented key policies to improve quality and best practices of care, and provided oversight of HEDIS and risk score monitoring.
Prior to his tenure at Simply Healthcare Plans, Dr. Caraballo was the Medical Director for Leon Medical Centers Health Plans by Health Spring/Cigna. At Leon Medical Centers, Dr. Caraballo oversaw care management at seven clinics responsible for 42,000 Medicare Advantage recipients. He also monitored HEDIS scores, Star Ratings, chart and peer reviews, mortality reports, and risk management evaluations and implemented new policies and procedures aimed at improving care.
“Dr. Caraballo is a seasoned leader with frontline clinical, Medicare Advantage, and managed Medicaid expertise,” said Michael Muchnicki, Chief Executive Officer at Univita. “He brings a unique combination of experience to Univita that will benefit patients, build on quality, and support our health plan partners’ strategies around HEDIS and Star Ratings performance.”
Dr. Caraballo’s responsibilities at Univita include reviewing referrals for appropriateness of care and coordination of services including: daily oversight and support of nursing staff, communication with providers and hospitals and daily utilization reviews, and communications with health plans on second level reviews. Dr. Caraballo is also focused on creating and implementing new ways to improve quality of care and to monitor compliance with Medicare/Medicaid guidelines.
About Univita Health
Univita is the nationwide leader in home healthcare solutions. We work collaboratively with health plans, health systems and physicians to improve quality and reduce hospital readmissions while focusing on the health and well-being of patients in their homes. Our innovative home care model delivers evidence based, high quality care for individuals including Medicare, Medicaid and commercial plan members. We offer a comprehensive home health program which includes nursing and therapy services, durable medical equipment, infusion pharmacy services and our innovative Re-admission Reduction Solution. To learn more, visit www.univitahealth.com.