In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Medicaid population, John Lovelace, President of UPMC for You, has been awarded the Joy Wheeler Leadership Award by the Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA).
UPMC notes its for You program is the fastest growing Medical Assistance program in western Pennsylvania and was ranked the No. 1 Medicaid plan in Pennsylvania and No. 10 in the nation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
'Given the sweeping changes in the Medicaid health plan industry, we are fortunate to have a leader such as John Lovelace,' said Thomas L. Johnson, President and CEO of MHPA. 'John is a partner who understands how to control costs while improving access and delivery of quality health care to Medicaid members.'
Lovelace serves as the Program Chair for MHPA, is vice chair of the MHPA Center for Best Practices and chairs its Health Insurance Exchange Work Group and its Task Force on Serious Mental Illness.
'It is a great honor to receive this award, particularly in that it recognizes the many contributions and achievement of Joy Wheeler, MHPA's first president,' said Lovelace. 'The Medicaid programs across the country play a vital role in improving health care for millions of Americans, and MHPA has a critical role in advocating for the consumers, the state programs and health plans.'
In addition to his role with UPMC for You, Lovelace also oversees the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) of UPMC Health Plan, known as UPMC for Kids, as well as the UPMC for Life Specialty Plan, which serves dual-eligible Medicaid and Medicare members. He is also Chief Program Officer for Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, which manages mental health as well as drug and alcohol services for approximately 700,000 members throughout Pennsylvania who are covered by Medical Assistance.
MHPA is a trade association solely focused on representing Medicaid health plans. MHPA represents both non-profit and for-profit health plans, ranging from multi-state insurance corporations to small community-based health plans.
UPMC Health Plan:
upmchealthplan.com
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