Payer organizations are under pressure to turn talent management from a collection of individual HR programs into a single, coherent strategy, particularly as AI reshapes what skills and leadership look like on the ground.
Becker’s asked talent leaders among payers two questions: What has been the most successful project you led in the last year, and where do you see the biggest opportunity for growth in the next 12 months? His answers, below, center on treating talent as a strategic asset rather than a back-office function.
Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
What has been the most successful project you led in the last year?
Glenn Dowling. Vice President of Talent Acquisition and Workforce Planning at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey: The most successful initiative I led was the integration of talent acquisition, succession planning, leadership development and workforce planning into a more cohesive talent strategy. The goal was to move beyond individual HR programs and create a system that helps leaders make better talent decisions, strengthen leadership pipelines and prepare the organization for future business needs. What made it successful was not just the implementation, but the shift in how leaders think about talent as a strategic business asset.
Morgan Kendrick. Executive Vice President and President of Commercial Health Benefits, Elevance Health: Over the past year, our team has continued to strengthen the programs and tools that lower healthcare costs and improve the healthcare experience. We expanded care management for people with complex and chronic conditions with Concierge Care, improved care navigation and price transparency resources in our Sydney app, addressed prescription drug costs through solutions like EnsureRx and continued investing in technology to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse. Through these enhancements we’re helping people make more informed decisions and saving them money.
Where do you see the biggest opportunity for growth in the next 12 months?
GD: The greatest opportunity ahead is helping organizations transform at the intersection of AI, talent and leadership. AI is reshaping work faster than most organizations can adapt, creating a need for more agile, skills-based approaches to talent and workforce planning. But technology alone won’t create competitive advantage. The organizations that succeed will be those that simultaneously develop leaders who can navigate change, build new capabilities, and create cultures that continuously learn and adapt.
Christopher Sukhu, PhD. Vice President, Medicare Strategy and Execution, AmeriHealth Caritas: The biggest opportunity for growth in the next 12 months is accelerating the integration of care for individuals who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. As policymakers and health plans continue to focus on improving the experience of dual eligible beneficiaries, there is growing momentum to better align services, simplify navigation, and address whole-person needs.
Organizations that can connect medical, behavioral, and social supports in a more coordinated way will be best positioned to improve outcomes and strengthen the member experience. The opportunity is not simply to grow membership, but to create a more integrated model of care that delivers meaningful value for members and the broader healthcare system.
MK: One of our key focus areas is accelerating a more personalized, connected healthcare experience that helps people make informed, cost-conscious care decisions. Employers and consumers are increasingly looking for solutions that lower costs without compromising quality, and we’re seeing strong momentum behind our integrated medical and pharmacy model, advocacy capabilities, behavioral health offerings, and digital experiences. By continuing to equip people with the insights, support, and navigation tools to choose the right care at the right time, and better understand costs before receiving care, we are improving health outcomes, enhancing the customer experience, and delivering greater value across the healthcare system.
At the Becker's 5th Annual Fall Payer Issues Roundtable, taking place November 2–3 in Chicago, payer executives and healthcare leaders will come together to discuss value-based care, regulatory changes, cost management strategies and innovations shaping the future of payer-provider collaboration. Apply for complimentary registration now.
