Bravo Health Names Mark Puente Senior Vice President, Medicaid
(BALTIMORE, MD — April 20, 2009) — Bravo Health, a Medicare Advantage plan dedicated to providing beneficiaries access to high quality, cost-effective health care, today announced the appointment of Mark Puente as Senior Vice President, Medicaid. In this new position, Puente will provide strategic direction and oversee administration of Bravo Health's newly established Medicaid division.
Previously, Puente served as CEO of Amerigroup MD Inc., a Maryland-based health plan for a publicly traded Medicaid managed care company. As chief executive, he oversaw all management activities including provider relations, behavioral health, government relations and regulatory affairs. Puente also lead quality improvement initiatives to advance the delivery of care to fragile populations. Prior to becoming CEO, Puente served as Vice President of Government Relations and then as Chief Operating Officer at Amerigroup MD.
"Expanding into Medicaid is a strategic priority for Bravo Health, and we are dedicated to achieving the same high level of network quality and customer service that are hallmarks of our Medicare Advantage plan," said Jeff Folick, chairman and CEO of Bravo Health. "Mark's considerable experience and leadership in the Medicaid arena will be essential to our success."
Puente was also President of Riverside Consulting LLC of Baltimore, a firm he founded to focus on providing health care delivery system expertise and real estate development consulting to a variety of public and private clients. In addition, he worked at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as Deputy Secretary for Operations.
"Bravo Health's expansion into Medicaid is a natural one, given the company's consistent focus on ensuring people with the greatest need have access to affordable health care," said Puente. "I'm pleased to play a role as Bravo Health broadens the scope of their services to Medicaid beneficiaries."
Puente received a bachelor of science, with a double major in political science and geography/environmental planning, from Towson State University.
About Bravo Health
Founded in 1996, Bravo Health provides Medicare beneficiaries access to high quality, cost-effective health care. With more than 250,000 members, Bravo Health offers Medicare Advantage health plans in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington, D.C. Additionally, the company offers Part D Prescription Drug Plans in 46 states. For more information, visit www.bravohealth.com.
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