IlliniCare Health Expands Leadership Team; Adds Two Executives

WESTMONT, Ill., Nov. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- IlliniCare Health, a subsidiary of Centene Corporation CNC, has expanded its leadership team to support its growing membership within Illinois. Michael Marrah has been named Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Angela Haggard has been appointed Vice President of Product Development.

"The shift in health care is exciting as we move toward a consumer-driven industry," said Jeff Joy, President and CEO for IlliniCare Health. "Michael and Angela will be instrumental in supporting our organization's growth. With their combined experience, they both will play a pivotal role in helping to broaden our service commitments, build and manage our strategic partnerships and ensure we deliver on our purpose of transforming the health of the community, one person at a time."

Michael Marrah - COO

As COO of Illinicare Health, Marrah will be responsible for strategic and operational leadership for the company's multiple service lines, its customer service activities and network development. He will incorporate processes and relationships that best leverage what makes IlliniCare Health truly unique, namely its commitment to members, service and the community. Prior to this role, Marrah was the Vice President of Operations for Centene's Missouri subsidiary, Home State Health Plan, where he had oversight of operations for the company, while maintaining responsibility for the budget and revenue targets. Marrah's nearly 20 years of experience includes advancing responsibilities in a variety of roles with Monsanto; Washington University (St. Louis); Sonnenschein, Nath and Rosenthal LLP; and Thompson Coburn LLP. Marrah graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science in microbiology from the honors program at Western Illinois University. He earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Washington University in St. Louis. He is a registered patent attorney, licensed and admitted to practice in Missouri.

Angela Haggard – VP, Product Development

Haggard will lead the development of new products at IlliniCare Health. She will be responsible for the strategic direction and leadership in aligning products, service innovations and capabilities to deliver a personalized, end-to-end experience for the consumer that will position the organization for long-term growth and success. Prior to joining IlliniCare Health, Haggard was the system service line vice president for Medicaid and community health strategy at Presence Health, the largest Catholic health care system in Illinois. Haggard has over 20 years of extensive health care delivery leadership experience. She has held a variety of senior leadership positions in hospital and health systems operations, strategic planning, information technology, performance improvement and community health. Haggard earned her bachelor's degree in administrative management from Eastern Illinois University and her master's degree in business administration from Olivet Nazarene University.

About IlliniCare Health
IlliniCare Health is one of the leading Medicaid health plans in Illinois, providing services under the Integrated Care Plan (seniors and persons with disabilities), the Family Health Plan (pregnant women and children) and those who are newly eligible for Medicaid under the ACA.  IlliniCare Health was one of six plans chosen to participate in the Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative in the greater Chicago area, providing coordinated services for those individuals dually-eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.  In addition, IlliniCare Health was selected to provide the back office and operational infrastructure to CountyCare Health Plan - a Medicaid managed care plan of the Cook County Hospital and Health Care System. IlliniCare Health will also be offering plans on the 2015 Illinois marketplace targeting low-income individuals who are seeking affordable, quality health coverage on the Illinois Marketplace. For more information, please visit www.illinicare.com.

About Centene Corporation
Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and services to government sponsored healthcare programs, focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals.  Many receive benefits provided under Medicaid, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care and Long Term Care (LTC), in addition to other state-sponsored/hybrid programs, and Medicare (Special Needs Plans).  The Company operates local health plans and offers a range of health insurance solutions.  It also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, care management software, correctional systems healthcare, in-home health services, life and health management, managed vision, pharmacy benefits management, specialty pharmacy and telehealth services.

SOURCE IlliniCare Health