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Health insurer Aetna and Sutter Health have appointed Steve Wigginton as new chief executive officer (CEO) of their jointly owned health care company formed in 2017.
Wigginton, who most recently served as CEO of Valence Health, will be tasked with building the joint venture’s management team, securing necessary regulatory approvals, finalizing product offerings, refining the sales strategy and developing a multi-year roadmap to build a more member-centric experience. He will report to the Sutter Health-Aetna board of directors.
The new health care company will start to sell coverage to employers in Northern California from April 1.
Prior to Valence's acquisition by Evolent Health in mid-2016, Wigginton served as Evolent’s chief development officer responsible for driving growth, brand and health system partnership development.
In his previous roles, Wigginton served as the founding CEO of Medley Health, as president of Health Integrated and as executive vice president of Neoforma.
“Steve is a respected leader with a proven track record of driving culture, growth and innovation in the health care industry,” said Kristen Miranda, Aetna’s market president for California. “Steve has a passion for creating a better health care experience for consumers, and a clear vision of what will make Sutter Health | Aetna successful."
Phil Jackson, Sutter Health’s CEO of health plan products, commented: “With this new joint venture, Sutter Health and Aetna are well positioned to disrupt the status quo in the marketplace and further transform health care in Northern California. We look forward to Steve’s leadership as we jointly create a health care model that works to provide people and employers with access to simpler, more affordable care.”
Aetna, Valence, JV, Valence Health, Kristen Miranda, Phil Jackson, Steve Wigginton, Appointment, US
