Matt Eyles will become president and CEO of America's Health Insurance Plans after current head Marilyn Tavenner steps down on June 1, 2018.
The AHIP Board of Directors voted unanimously on Tuesday to appoint Eyles to succeed the retiring Tavenner.
[Also: Marilyn Tavenner says AHIP stands behind CMS plans for better interoperability]
Eyles has led AHIP's policy work as executive vice president since 2015 and was promoted to chief operating officer in 2017. He has worked closely with Tavenner, the board, and AHIP members on a range of issues and initiatives from healthcare reform, lowering prescription drug prices, strengthening employer-provided coverage and long-range strategic planning.
Eyles has been an effective advocate for insurance providers and a trusted partner to policymakers, the AHIP board said. He will continue to lead the vision and mission established under Tavenner's leadership.
"We will continue to focus on solutions that deliver more affordable choices and higher quality for every American," Eyles said. "It's also an honor to have worked with and learned from Marilyn. For more than 40 years, she has driven important changes that have directly improved the lives of patients, consumers, and hardworking taxpayers."
Tavenner called Eyles an experienced leader in Washington.
"We worked closely with the board to plan an effective transition to ensure that under Matt's leadership, AHIP will continue to be the industry leader for years to come," she said.
Eyles served as executive vice president of Avalere Health from 2013 to 2014, and before that, was corporate vice president for Public Affairs and Policy at Coventry Health Care.
Tavenner took the helm of the advocacy organization for health insurers after leaving the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, where she served as acting administrator and then administrator, from 2011 to 2015, during the roll-out of the Affordable Care Act.
"Marilyn's track record of service and success is a model for every leader," said Bernard Tyson, AHIP Board chair and chairman and CEO of Kaiser Permanente. "She has delivered real results for AHIP and our industry in a time of extraordinary change and uncertainty. Matt will build on our shared success – and the AHIP Board is confident in him, his team, and his leadership."
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Email the writer: susan.morse@himssmedia.com