Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care name new CEO

Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care name new CEO

A new CEO will take over the combined organizations of Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care starting July 5, the company announced.

Cain Hayes, president and CEO of Gateway Health in Pittsburgh was given the position, as the current CEO of Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Tom Croswell, announced his retirement in late January.

“I am thrilled about the opportunity to lead the organization to its full potential in helping shape health care to better serve our members and communities,” Hayes said in a statement.

Joyce Murphy, board chair of the Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care organization said, “Cain brings a wealth of experience to this role both as a proven leader and seasoned health care veteran with a distinguished track record of success.”

Before to joining Gateway Health, Hayes was president and COO of the Health Business at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, and also previously served as president of National Accounts.

“I look forward to working with all my colleagues in building on the strong foundation they have created in making high-quality health care more accessible and affordable throughout the region,” said Hayes.

Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care officially merged in January of this year and serves 2.4 million members in Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

Gov. Charlie Baker was CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care from 1999 to 2009 and led the company out of receivership. Baker has not yet announced if he is running for a third term as governor, ramping up speculation about his next move.