ConcertoCare Adds Chief People Officer; CMS Appoints Medicaid Director

ConcertoCare appoints chief people officer

ConcertoCare has hired Rachel Grace as its chief people officer.

Backed by Deerfield Management Company, the Aliso Viejo, California-based ConcertoCare offers in-home primary care, virtual care and PACE services to dual-eligible seniors and those enrolled under Medicare Advantage.

In her new role, Grace will be responsible for developing hiring and employee advancement solutions in anticipation of the company’s U.S. expansion plans.

“Rachel has the experience and ability to offer forward-thinking solutions that grow talent and develop leaders,” Dr. Julian Harris, chairman and CEO of ConcertoCare, said in a statement. “Between her success in building teams, her background in health equity, and her drive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, Rachel is the ideal addition to our team.”

Prior to her appointment, Grace was senior director of human resources at Quest Diagnostics, as well as a member of the company’s Quest for health equity team.

CMS names Medicaid leader

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Daniel Tsai as deputy administrator and director of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services.

As deputy administrator and director of Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, Tsai will be responsible for leading CMS’s efforts around health equity and serving vulnerable populations, including seniors.

Tsai comes to CMS having previously led a state Medicaid program focused on value-based care.

Prior to his appointment at CMS, Tsai served as the assistant secretary for MassHealth and as Medicaid director at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. During his time there, he spearheaded efforts to build a Medicaid program that provided equitable coverage to 2 million individuals in the state.

“Dan brings invaluable experience to CMS,” CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said in a press release. “The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear what a lifeline Medicaid and CHIP are for families and individuals across the country.”

Tsai’s appointment has drawn support from the Partnership for Medicaid Home-Based Care (PMHC), a Washington D.C.-based industry advocacy group that represents home- and community-based care providers operating in the Medicaid space.

“Medicaid HCBS issues can often be complex, especially within the mandatory private skilled nursing benefit coverage for children with complex medical conditions,” Bob Creamer, CEO of Thrive Skilled Pediatric Care and PMHC second vice chairman, said in a statement. “Our interactions with Mr. Tsai over the past six years demonstrated his deep understanding of the Medicaid program, and through his actions, he also proved to be a good listener during those meetings.”

The new role will give Tsai the opportunity to lead key priorities of the Biden administration, David Totaro, chairman of PMHC said in a statement.

“[This includes] the stated effort to address the severe home care workforce crisis,” Totaro said. “PMHC looks forward to working with Mr. Tsai to fulfill the Biden Administration’s goal of expanding access to home and community-based services by addressing the institutional bias within the Medicaid law and regulations.”

Forcura adds two executives to its leadership team

Two new executives have joined Forcura’s leadership team. Laura Montesantos has been appointed as vice president of product management, while David Kerr joins as vice president of engineering.

“Forcura is at a pivotal moment where we’ve grown our potential to such a massive opportunity that we need the best leadership with the right experience to help us fully execute on what comes next,” Craig Mandeville, founder and CEO of Forcura, said in a statement.

Jacksonville, Florida-based Forcura is a technology company that helps post-acute providers with streamlining workflow and documentation management.

As an organization, Forcura handles 31 million clinical document transactions annually. The company serves over 600 clients who provide care for more than half a million patients every month across more than 7,000 locations.

Prior to her role at Forcura, Montesantos was solutions director at AIM Specialty Health. Kerr was head of information technology at Infinicept prior to his new role.

Better Medicare Alliance names new president and CEO

Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) has selected Mary Beth Donahue as its new president and CEO. BMA is a community of more than 500,000 beneficiaries and 160 ally organizations supporting Medicare Advantage.

Donahue succeeds former Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, who was BMA’s first president and CEO.

“We are deeply grateful that Mary Beth answered the call to serve as Better Medicare Alliance’s next president and CEO, bringing with her nearly three decades of unrivaled management and policy expertise, and a distinguished career on the front lines of patient advocacy,” Kenneth Thorpe, chair of BMA’s board of directors, said in a statement.

Donahue recently served as executive director of Kidney Care Partners, a coalition focused on improving quality of care for individuals living with kidney diseases. Donahue also formerly served as chief of staff to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala.

Encompass Health appoints home health and hospice CFO

Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE: EHC) has named its chief investor relations officer, Crissy B. Carlisle, as its chief financial officer of the home health and hospice segment.

“Crissy is an exceptionally talented leader with whom I have worked side-by-side since becoming CEO,” Mark J. Tarr, president and CEO of Encompass Health, said in a press release. “Crissy’s more than 25 years of financial advisory and accounting experience combined with her deep understanding of the business and the industry make her ideally suited to take on the CFO role.”

Birmingham, Alabama-based Encompass Health has a national footprint that includes 140 hospitals, 250 home health locations and 94 hospice locations in 42 states and Puerto Rico.

In addition to her new position, Carlisle will remain in role as chief investor relations officer. Encompass Health has plans to eventually name a successor.