July 16, 2010

Insurance industry leaders named to Missouri high-risk pool board

Jefferson City, Mo. - Missouri Insurance Director John M. Huff has reappointed two insurance executives to the Board of Directors of the Missouri Health Insurance Pool (MHIP).

Jeff Bond, Cox HealthPlans

The president and CEO of Cox HealthPlans in Springfield, Jeff Bond has worked for Cox since 1993 was named president in 2002. Bond is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield. Bond has served on the board since 2003.

Julie Davidson, United Healthcare of the Midwest

The chief financial officer at United Healthcare of the Midwest, based in St. Louis, Julie Davidson has worked for United Healthcare since 1995 and was named CFO in 2008. Davidson is a graduate of Westminster College. Davidson has served on the board since 2009.

Also serving on the board of directors:

Ron Meyer, president - Columbia, retired, former executive director of the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan

Bryan Miller, treasurer - Kansas City, BlueCross BlueShield of Kansas City

John M. Huff - Columbia, director of the Missouri Department of Insurance

Mary Becker - Jefferson City, Missouri Hospital Association

Paula Nickelson - Fulton, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

Dr. Karen Amstutz, Indianapolis, Ind., Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Cheryl Dillard - Kansas City, Coventry Health Care

Formed by the state legislature in 1991, MHIP operates two high-risk pools: one mandated by Missouri law, the other established this year by the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The state pool is funded by assessments paid by health insurers and premiums paid by policyholders. The federal pool is funded by premiums and an $81 million federal grant.

Under Missouri law, the director of the Department of Insurance serves on the MHIP board and names all members. The law requires the board to have nine members, serving three-year terms, with experience in the health insurance industry or representing the general public.

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