Former Anthem executive Brad Smith named CMMI director
Smith co-founded Aspire Health, which Anthem acquired in 2018.
Former Anthem executive Brad Smith has been named the director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation.
Smith will serve as director of CMMI and as senior advisor to Health and Human Services Director Alex Azar for value-based transformation, according to HHS and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Smith most recently served as the chief operating officer of Anthem's Diversified Business Group. In 2011, Smith and former U.S. Senator and physician William Frist co-founded Aspire Health. Smith served as CEO of the healthcare company that uses analytics to identify patients with serious illness who could benefit from palliative care support services.
In 2018, Anthem acquired Aspire for an undisclosed sum.
"Brad will help HHS and CMS continue and accelerate the value-based transformation work that we have begun under President Trump," Azar said. "Paying for outcomes rather than procedures through CMMI models is an important tool for the value-based transformation of healthcare that President Trump has prioritized. Brad has impressive experience with innovative care delivery and paying for value, and he will help expand Administrator Verma's and CMS's efforts to ensure Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries are getting better care, and better health, at a lower cost."
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: susan.morse@himssmedia.com
