Hartford Business Journal

8 Hartford Business Journal | January 25, 2021 | HartfordBusiness.com competitors. What are the biggest opportunities Anthem sees in the Connecticut marketplace? Our most significant opportunities are interdependent, and consist of advancing value-based programs, aligning our network partnerships and staying on the cutting edge of innovation. Successful value-based relationships rely on trust and partnership between health plan and provider. For example, before I joined, Anthem became the first entity in Connecticut to contract with the CT Children's Medical Center's new clinically integrated network. It's relationships like these that move us out of the typical negotiation cycles with providers and into deeper, highly meaningful relationships where we can all work together on improving the health outcomes and lives of our members. Finally, we saw significant shifts in health care this year with the pandemic. When we look to the future, we see access demands shifting and becoming more virtual, primary care looking different over time and consumerism becoming a top priority. We have to stay on the cutting edge of these changing dynamics and make sure we are innovating our offerings and service model to meet the consumer's demands. What are the biggest challenges Anthem sees in the Connecticut marketplace? The foundation of a stable health plan involves a known set of conditions and the broad spreading of risk. Right now, there is a fair bit of unpredictability as we head into 2021. Whether it's the evolving COVID-19 pandemic or changing political landscape, there are many factors ahead that present uncertainty. What are you most bullish about in terms of the future of CT? What's great for me is that I know Connecticut. I already have strong roots here, and it hopefully will be easier for me to come in and shepherd initiatives through our landscape. When I think about Connecticut, a few themes come up: community, interconnectedness and transparency. We're a big state that feels like a small town, and relationships mean everything. If you're out there doing the right thing, building strong and trusting relationships, then it's a good place to be. I see a lot of opportunity for us to strengthen our relationships with key providers. The more we can align our goals, the more we can have strong impact across the state and our health outcomes. Can you share a little about your executive philosophy? My executive philosophy centers around four main concepts: talent, empowerment, culture and strategy. As a leader, my most important role is to identify and develop the By Keith Griffin Special to the Hartford Business Journal Anthem President Gianquinto's new role is a CT homecoming PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED On The Record | Q&A Lou Gianquinto in late 2020 was named president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut. to my home state after 10 years. I built my career working in health care over the last 25 years. I left Connecticut 10 years ago to take on some new challenges and help advance my professional objectives. The Anthem Connecticut opportunity was very attractive to me both personally and professionally. Personally, the chance to get back home, professionally leading this dynamic health plan with a lead role in the state where we are in a position to make a real difference in the future of health care in Connecticut. What are your goals in your new job? I'm working through my 2021 plans now, but … I want to make sure that our associates have a best-in-class experience while they are working on my team. We're also interested in continuing to grow our membership as we firmly believe that the Anthem value proposition is better than our right talent and put people in the right positions to be successful. A common quote of mine is "always hire people smarter than you." This business is so large, diverse in scope, and quite frankly, complex. One leader cannot do it all, you have to find talent that can drive results, complement the team and perhaps even fill a lacking skill set or weakness that I as a leader may have. I prefer to be on the macro end of the micro/macro management spectrum, but do know when it's time to dig in deeper. I am a huge believer in culture as a competitive differentiator; in previous roles, I witnessed first-hand how a change in culture can power an organization to become fiercely competitive and successful. What are some unique or innovative ways Anthem is trying to control the costs of health insurance for small businesses? Value-based care – close collaboration with providers is one of the ways that we try to manage costs, while also improving health care for our members. An example of this is our introduction of a low- cost, value-driven network called BlueCare Prime that we believe will be particularly attractive to small businesses. This network collaborative enhances member engagement with primary care providers, who help our members manage and navigate care to make sure that person is receiving the right care, at the right time, and in the right place, and the best part is it is governed by our provider partners. Studies have shown that people who have a relationship with a trusted primary care provider are more likely to receive evidence- based care, have higher satisfaction with the healthcare system and are less likely to need care at an emergency room or through an acute hospital admission. What's your opinion about some state lawmakers in Connecticut pushing once again for the adoption of a public health plan? Anthem is committed to bringing quality, affordable health coverage to consumers in Connecticut and our members across the country. We believe the private sector is better positioned than government to respond to consumer demand for additional health coverage options. What do you like to do outside of the office, in your free time? I am usually up by 5 a.m. most days to get a good workout in before the day starts. This time in the morning energizes me, relieves stress and focuses my attention on the day ahead. When it's warmer I love to bike, and I am planning to get an indoor bike once I get settled at home in Connecticut. I also really love to golf, and I am looking forward to getting out there this summer to some of the great courses in the state! L ou Gianquinto has deep ties to Connecticut and the state's insurance industry and he's had a homecoming recently. In November he was named president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut, the largest health plan in the state. Gianquinto, who previously worked at UnitedHealthcare and Oxford Health Plans, has big shoes to fill as he replaces Jill Hummel, a well-respected insurance executive who spent seven years in charge of Anthem's Wallingford-based Connecticut business. Anthem has nearly 1.3 million members in the state, far more than any other competitor. Most recently Gianquinto served as president of Missouri Care, Anthem's Medicaid business in Missouri, which he said gained him experience in managing profits and losses and prepared him for his new role. Gianquinto recently participated in a Q&A with the HBJ. Here's what he said to say. What attracted you to the Anthem job? First of all, Connecticut is home to me, and I am so excited that this role is bringing me back to a place I hold dear in my heart. I have a large network of friends and family here who are thrilled to welcome me back Lou Gianquinto President Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut Previous Job: Graduated from Southern Connecticut State University and earned an MBA from the University of New Haven Age: 48

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