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US health insurer Humana is launching a new center for digital health and analytics in Boston that will be staffed by nearly 250 new employees within the next five years, focusing on developing new products and services for use across the organization.
The company has named Heather Cox to the newly created position of chief digital health and analytics officer, reporting directly to Humana president and CEO Bruce Broussard. Cox will be accountable for building Humana’s digital care delivery operations and leading enterprise analytics. Cox will be based in Boston and oversee much of the work coming out of Studio H.
Cox has 25 years of experience, most recently serving as chief technology and digital officer at USAA, where she led the teams responsible for designing and building personalized and digitally-enabled end-to-end experiences for USAA members. Prior to USAA, Cox was the CEO of Citi FinTech at Citigroup.
The Louisville-based insurer said the move is designed to advance its capabilities in the areas of technology, digital health and analytics in support of its integrated care delivery model and its ongoing work to develop differentiated health care experiences.
“What we’re developing in Boston is a critical capability that can help Humana leap forward and overcome friction points to create a simplified, connected and personalized health care experience for our members and the physicians and others who provide their care,” said Broussard. “We understand that where lifestyle and health care intersect, there is an opportunity to influence health and well-being in a holistic way – especially for seniors."
"Digital technology and analytics are building blocks for devising products, tools and services that deliver on the promise of whole-person health care, and Heather Cox has the experience, vision and drive to innovate and boldly lead Humana’s efforts in these important areas,” he added.
Cox said: “It’s gratifying to be joining an organization with such a strong commitment to helping people achieve their best health. American health care can be enormously complex, but Humana’s expansion of its digital health and analytics capabilities can provide a game-changing platform to simplify and streamline the health care experience and ultimately improve members’ lifestyles by enhancing the quality of their health care.”
In addition to the digital health and analytics group, a team of individuals focused on creating a new health experience for seniors will also reside in Studio H under the direction of Beth Bierbower, who has been with the company in a number of senior-level leadership positions. Bierbower also reports directly to Broussard.
Beth Bierbower, president of the new Humana initiative, commented: “I look forward to collaborating with Heather as we work to bring next-generation products to life at Humana. I’m also excited about the prospect of bringing together talented, high-energy and innovative people in Boston to tackle some of the biggest challenges in our industry. I’m confident that Humana members will appreciate what we come together to develop.”
Humana Studio H will take shape in Boston’s Seaport neighborhood, where Humana has entered into a lease agreement for approximately 40,000 square feet of office space. The company expects to complete the project in the summer of 2019.
Humana, growth, Appointment, Heather Cox, Bruce Broussard, US
