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Deborah Rice-Johnson is president of Highmark Inc. and chief growth officer of Highmark Health. She is an innovative health insurance leader, driven by a passion for reinventing health care experiences and pioneering provider relationships designed to keep care close to home and change antiquated reimbursement methods. Through diverse and inventive relationships ranging from joint ventures to equity interest partnerships, she has spearheaded affiliations and clinical alliances with Penn State Health, Geisinger Health System, Lehigh Valley and many regionally-based health care providers.
As president of Highmark Inc., she is responsible for providing senior leadership and strategic direction for the company’s multi-state health insurance organization and diversified businesses, totaling over $18B in revenue. Highmark Health Plans remains among the largest Blue Plans in the country serving more than 6 million members. Ms. Rice-Johnson is also responsible for Highmark's insurance-based subsidiaries: United Concordia Dental, the sixth largest dental plan nationally that serves the largest voluntary dental program in the world with TRICARE, and HM Insurance Group, a top ten national stop loss carrier with additional managed care reinsurance solutions.
As chief growth officer, Ms. Rice-Johnson is responsible for pursuing a range of strategic partnerships, affiliations and acquisitions that will allow Highmark Health to realize the potential of its Living Health model, which builds a better system for its customers and clinicians through innovative solutions and partnerships to deliver them.
Ms. Rice-Johnson has more than 30 years of experience in the health insurance industry. She has held a variety of management positions at Highmark and its predecessor company. Her leadership has not only redefined the payer-provider relationship and yielded unparalleled financial performance, but she has also delivered innovative clinical solutions that aim to improve health outcomes for Highmark’s members. She is also keenly focused and committed to positively impacting the employment situation of our nation’s military veterans through championing private-sector hiring efforts.
Ms. Rice-Johnson holds a bachelor's degree in business management from Carlow University. In 2014 she was named a Carlow Laureate, the university's most prestigious alumni award recognizing those whose work, thought, and action demonstrate the highest standards of professional accomplishment and leadership.
Current Board affiliations:
Thought Leadership Topics:
Creating community-based networks of care
Forging innovative payer-provider partnerships
Improving health care affordability
Creating a remarkable health experience
Helping veterans reach their full potential
Interviews/Articles:
Aaron Billger
Highmark Health
412-544-7826
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Leilyn Perri
717-302-4243
Email Leilyn