Dr. Patrick Conway is new CEO of Optum Rx
Conway, who has been with Optum since 2020, formerly headed the CMS Innovation Center and BCBS of North Carolina.
Photo: Courtesy United Health Group
Dr. Patrick Conway is the new chief executive officer of Optum Rx.
Conway joined Optum in February 2020 and previously served as the CEO of Care Solutions, according to UnitedHealth Group, parent company of Optum Rx.
UnitedHealth Group made no official announcement on Conway's new role, but said on its website that Conway became Optum Rx CEO this month.
In his role, Conway leads an integrated pharmacy care services organization that is making drugs more affordable and creating a better experience for consumers, filling more than 1.5 billion adjusted retail, mail and specialty drug prescriptions annually, UnitedHealth said.
Conway formerly headed the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation and served as president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.
"I am excited to start my new role as CEO of Optum Rx," Conway said on his LinkedIn site. "I am joining a talented team that serves more than 60 million people, processes 1.5 billion prescriptions and generates more than $110 billion of revenue annually. Pharmacy services have a major impact on people across the healthcare system, helping people access needed care and improving health outcomes, and the link between pharmacy and medical and behavioral care can be transformative."
As CEO of Care Solutions, Conway led a portfolio of care continuum businesses serving over 70 million people across acute and post-acute care, including care in the home, complex disease health management, specialty care and government health services.
Conway, a practicing pediatric hospitalist, was president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina from 2017-2019. From 2011 to 2017, he served as deputy administrator for Innovation and Quality at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and as director of the CMS Innovation Center and the agency's chief medical officer. Before joining CMS, he oversaw clinical operations and quality improvement at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
Conway replaces Health Cianfrocco, who moves into the role of president of Optum, according to her LinkedIn page.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org
