Healthy Blue Kansas has named Bryan Baier as its new President. Baier has over 20 years of experience in Medicaid-managed care organizations and was formerly the Executive Director of Government Programs at Aetna. Healthy Blue Kansas is a collaboration between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and Blue Shield of Kansas City and plans to serve 415,000 beneficiaries in KanCare, the state’s Medicaid program. The organization aims to expand access to high-quality, affordable healthcare services through innovative telehealth solutions and addressing social determinants of health.
Healthy Blue Kansas, a partnership between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and Blue Shield of Kansas City, has announced the appointment of Bryan Baier as its new president. Before this role, Mr. Baier served as the Executive Director of Government Programs at Aetna. With over 20 years of experience in regulatory, compliance, and legislative advocacy with Medicaid managed care organizations, Baier brings with him a wealth of expertise to his new role. In addition, he is the founder of the Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans.
Healthy Blue Kansas intends to bid on a contract later this year, to serve 415,000 beneficiaries in KanCare, the state’s Medicaid program. The organization is committed to providing high-quality, affordable health care to its members. With Baier at the helm, Healthy Blue Kansas is well-positioned to achieve its goals. His deep understanding of the Medicaid landscape, coupled with his extensive experience in government programs, make him an ideal candidate for the role.
Baier’s appointment comes at a time when Medicaid programs are facing significant challenges. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical role that Medicaid plays in ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to healthcare services. At the same time, however, the pandemic has also put a strain on state budgets, making it difficult to provide the necessary resources to meet the needs of Medicaid beneficiaries.
Despite these challenges, Healthy Blue Kansas is committed to expanding access to high-quality healthcare services. By leveraging the expertise of its leadership team, the organization is well-positioned to develop innovative solutions that can improve health outcomes and reduce costs.
One area of focus for Healthy Blue Kansas is the use of telehealth technologies. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing many healthcare providers to shift to virtual care, the use of telehealth has become increasingly important in ensuring that patients receive the care they need. Healthy Blue Kansas is working to develop new telehealth solutions that can help its members access care more easily and conveniently.
In addition to its focus on telehealth, Healthy Blue Kansas is also very much committed to addressing the social determinants of health. These are the non-medical factors that can impact health outcomes, such as access to healthy food, safe housing, and education. By addressing these factors, Healthy Blue Kansas hopes to improve the overall health of its members and reduce the need for expensive medical interventions.
