News
Health Net's Government Operations Division Announces Executive Appointments
SACRAMENTO, Calif.-(Business Wire)-April 23, 2007 - Health Net Federal Services (Health Net), the government operations division of Health Net, Inc. (NYSE:HNT), today announced that it has appointed Donna Hoffmeier to the role of Veterans Affairs (VA) Program Officer, effective immediately. Hoffmeier, who formerly held the position of Public and Government Affairs Officer, succeeds Robert Perreault, who retired in March after more than 40 years of serving veterans in the public and private sectors.
"Donna's experience, coupled with her understanding of defense and veterans' issues, the procurement process, federal health care contracts and the many relationships necessary to manage the dynamic federal health care environment, make her well suited to lead and oversee Health Net's VA programs. She will be instrumental in carrying on the success of our current VA contracts as well as leading the organization toward new opportunities where Health Net can provide quality and cost-efficient health care for the Department of Veterans Affairs," said Steve Tough, president, Health Net Federal Services.
Hoffmeier has extensive experience dealing with health care issues in both the private and public sectors. She has served in various government affairs and strategy roles at UnitedHealth Group, has extensive Capitol Hill experience in military health care, and has served in the U.S. Navy.
Health Net Federal Services also announced that it has named Kelly Craven to the role of Public and Government Affairs Officer, Health Net Federal Services, effective April 23, 2007.
The addition of Craven to the management team allows Health Net to continue to develop policies and programs with its government partners and legislators that address issues critical to providing effective and affordable health care services to military members, veterans and their families. Craven will be located in Health Net's Arlington, Va., office, and will report directly to Steve Tough.
"Kelly's demonstrated leadership in the government, communications and public affairs arenas will be a great addition to the Federal Services team as we address the changing nature of government-provided health care with business goals and priorities that seamlessly extend the federal health programs we serve," said Tough.
Craven has an established career working in the government sector. Most recently, she served as the Deputy Staff Director for the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, and previously as the Deputy Assistant Secretary Force Management Integration for the U.S. Air Force, where she was responsible for overseeing policies, programs and budgets related to military and civilian personnel and military health care. Her work in the public sector includes nearly 12 years experience in congressional staff service for key legislators.
"Prior to his retirement, Robert Perreault led our VA programs, and his experience and expertise were instrumental in leading the company's success in this area, as well as refining our operational excellences as a VA partner. We thank him for his leadership," noted Tough. In collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Net successfully delivered cost and quality solutions through such programs as Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), Preferred Pricing Program and DRG Review and Recovery Program. The Preferred Pricing Program has saved the VA more than $85 million since 1999 by applying discounted claims pricing through their nationwide provider network, and Health Net's DRG Review and Recovery Program identified more than $72 million in overpaid inpatient claims since 2001. Health Net's CBOC Program provides high quality Primary Care services for over 25,000 veterans in 13 CBOCs in 10 different states.
About Health Net
Health Net Federal Services, a subsidiary of Health Net, Inc., has a long history of providing cost-effective and quality managed health care programs for government agencies, including the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs. As the managed care support contractor for the TRICARE North Region, Health Net provides health care services to over 3 million uniformed services beneficiaries, active and retired, and their families.
Health Net, Inc. is among the nation's largest publicly traded managed health care companies. Its mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. The company's HMO, POS, insured PPO and government contracts subsidiaries provide health benefits to approximately 6.6 million individuals in 27 states and the District of Columbia through group, individual, Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs. Health Net's behavioral health services subsidiary, MHN, provides behavioral health, substance abuse and employee assistance programs (EAPs) to approximately 7.3 million individuals in various states, including the company's own health plan members. The company's subsidiaries also offer managed health care products related to prescription drugs, and offer managed health care product coordination for multi-region employers and administrative services for medical groups and self-funded benefits programs.
For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit the company's Web site at www.healthnet.com. For more information on Health Net Federal Services, please visit www.healthnetfederalservices.com.
