Updated to include further details of Ignagni's departure.
Dive Brief:
- America's Health Insurance Plans CEO Karen Ignagni is leaving the organization to become the CEO of New York-based EmblemHealth. She will replace Frank Branchini effective September 1.
- AHIP EVP Dan Durham has been appointed interim CEO, according to Health Leaders Media's John Commins. Ignagni is expected to leave the organization early next month, before the Supreme Court ruling.
- Experienced headhunter Ivan Adler told Politico that Ignagni's position will be sought after: "The AHIP job is one of the more sexier jobs in Washington," Adler said. "High profile with lots of internal and external resources and the comp doesn't hurt either."
Dive Insight:
AHIP loses a powerful and experienced lobbyist in Ignagni. She has been the payer industry's primary voice in Washington during the controversial creation and ultimate implementation of the Affordable Care Act. She is also the third in a string of departures from high-profile industry trade associations: AHA's Richard Umbdenstock is set to retire at the end of this year, as is PhRMA's John Castellani—although with $2 million in compensation in 2013, Ignagni is arguably the biggest hitter here.
Manhattan-based Emblem has offices in Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse and provides coverage to about 3.4 million customers.