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Jeffrey Fernandez Named New Ochsner Health Plan CEO

Jeffrey Fernandez Named New Ochsner Health Plan CEO

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Jeffrey Fernandez, Ochsner Health Senior Vice President & Executive Advisor, has assumed the role of CEO of the new Ochsner Health Plan (OHP), effective August 1, 2022. Jeff replaces Terry Shilling who has served in a consulting role to lead the implementation of OHP. A Louisiana native, Fernandez has demonstrated over 20 years of successful managed care leadership experience – much of that in the Medicare Advantage industry.

Prior to joining Ochsner in August 2021, he served as SVP of Humana’s Medicare West segment—responsible for Medicare Advantage operations in 17 states (including Louisiana) and more than 1 million members. His responsibilities also included leading their nationwide MarketPoint sales organization, where he was responsible for external, career and telesales distribution for Humana’s Medicare Advantage products.

“I am excited to join the Ochsner Health Plan team and combine the strength of Ochsner Health’s clinical excellence with OHP’s Medicare Advantage product for an integrated consumer health experience,” said Jeff Fernandez, CEO, Ochsner Health Plan.

Fernandez’ career with Humana spanned 16-years, serving as Vice President of Network Contracting in 2005 and then on to serve as Regional President, Senior Products for the Gulf Coast Region. In 2014, his career elevated to Vice President of Medicare for their Central Division. There, he was responsible for Medicare Advantage operations in nine states, including Louisiana, totaling 660,000 members.

Fernandez received a bachelor’s degree in marketing from LSU, an MBA from the University of New Orleans, and then went on to achieve a law degree from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.

As the only provider-sponsored Medicare Advantage plan in the market, OHP launched in October 2021, just in time for Medicare’s 2022 Annual Enrollment Period. The health plan now provides a full complement of competitively priced benefits to 2,100 members throughout 12 parishes in Louisiana’s Greater New Orleans and Greater Baton Rouge areas.

“In a state that needs great improvement health outcomes, I look forward to Ochsner Health Plan’s alignment with Ochsner’s nationally ranked physicians, providers, and employees to help solve many of the social determinants of health that burden our fellow citizens,” said Fernandez. “For too long Louisiana has lagged not only in health outcomes, but also in affordability for our seniors on Medicare. I am ready to lead OHP and help improve the health status of Louisiana citizens over 65.”

Ochsner Health Plan’s provider-sponsored model focuses on innovation and value-based healthcare to improve patient outcomes. In partnership with OHP, Ochsner Health provides preventive care resources and health management services for members that are fully integrated with virtual and in-person programs for treating chronic and complex conditions that remain highly prevalent in Louisiana—like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure, obesity, and nicotine addiction.

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Ochsner Health Plan is a Medicare Advantage company with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Ochsner Health Plan depends upon contract renewal.

About Ochsner Health

Ochsner Health is an integrated healthcare system with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate. Celebrating 80 years in 2022, it leads nationally in cancer care, cardiology, neurosciences, liver and heart transplants and pediatrics, among other areas. Ochsner is consistently named both the top hospital and top children’s hospital in Louisiana by U.S. News & World Report. The not-for-profit organization is inspiring healthier lives and stronger communities. Its focus is on preventing diseases and providing patient-centered care that is accessible, affordable, convenient and effective. Ochsner Health pioneers new treatments, deploys emerging technologies and performs groundbreaking research, including over 700 clinical studies. It has more than 34,000 employees and over 4,500 employed and affiliated physicians in over 90 medical specialties and subspecialties. It operates 40 hospitals and more than 300 health and urgent care centers across Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South; and its cutting-edge Connected Health digital medicine program is caring for patients beyond its walls. In 2021, Ochsner Health treated more than 1 million people from every state and 75 countries. As Louisiana’s top healthcare educator, Ochsner Health and its partners educate thousands of healthcare professionals annually. To learn more, visit https://www.ochsner.org/.