Cigna appoints Duke economist to board of directors

Cigna Corporation has appointed Mark McClellan, an economist and a former administrator of Medicare and Medicaid programs, to its board of directors.

McClellan has served as the director of the Robert J Margolis, MD Center for Health Policy at Duke University since 2015. Prior to that, he was the director of the health care innovation and value initiative at the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform at The Brookings Institution where he had been a senior fellow since 2006.

McClellan was also the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from 2004 until 2006 where he was responsible for administering the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Prior to that, he was the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and also served in the White House as a Member of the President's Council of Economic Advisers.

The insurer said McClellan’s appointment is effective Dec. 1, unless Cigna’s acquisition of Express Scripts has closed prior to that date, in which case McClellan will join the board of directors of the combined company upon closing.

“Mark’s combination of health care industry and economic expertise will strongly support Cigna’s efforts to drive health care affordability and quality, as we continue to innovate and deliver differentiated value for our customers, clients and communities — in alignment with health care providers,” said David Cordani, Cigna president and chief executive officer.

Isaiah Harris, Jr., Cigna chairman of the board, added: “Mark joins Cigna’s board with a well-earned reputation for bi-partisan engagement and a proven commitment to helping improve the health care system, which are essential qualities for the dynamic environment in which Cigna operates.”