Jeffrey S. Cook to lead Texas Health and Aetna joint venture health plan

Cook becomes CEO of the health plan formed by Aetna and Texas Health Resources earlier this year.

Jeffrey S. Cook has been tapped to lead the health plan jointly owned by Aetna and Texas Health Resources, Aetna announced Wednesday.

Cook becomes CEO of the health plan formed by the two organizations earlier this year. He takes leadership of the new health plan company effective immediately.

The joint venture combines Texas Health's integrated care teams with Aetna's health plan, care management and analytical expertise.

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Texas Health Resources and Aetna are working to obtain the necessary insurance and HMO licenses from the applicable Texas regulators for the joint venture. Until these licenses are obtained, products will be offered by Aetna licensed entities.

Most recently, Cook served as national vice president, insurance and value based strategy and reimbursement, for Ascension Health. While at Ascension, Cook managed the insurance and value-based strategy for seven health plans, 20 ACOs, 145 hospitals and 6,000 employed physicians across the country, Aetna said.

Concurrently, Cook served as president and CEO for Seton Insurance Services, Seton Health Alliance and Seton Health Plan. In that role, he was responsible for Seton's managed care, accountable care organization, health plan, community insurance, charge master pricing and hospital case management.

Prior to these positions, Cook served as vice president, managed care and pricing strategies, for Seton Healthcare Family, and as CEO  of UnitedHealthcare in Central Texas.

Cook has a master of science in health administration from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, and a bachelor of business administration from Baylor University.

The new health plan promotes better health, enhance care coordination and clinical effectiveness through increased patient access to health information.

[Also: Aetna, Banner Health launch joint venture health plan in Arizona]

The health system includes Texas Health Physicians Group and hospitals under the banners of Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Arlington Memorial, Texas Health Harris Methodist and Texas Health Huguley.

"Jeff is a respected leader with a successful track record leading large health plans and provider networks," said Dan Finke, senior vice president of Network and Clinical Services for Aetna.

"We're confident that he can lead those initiatives while ensuring we provide value to consumers by controlling costs and improving outcomes," said Ron Long, Texas Health's executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Twitter: @SusanJMorse