Health insurer WellPoint picks Joseph Swedish as its new CEO









INDIANAPOLIS — Health insurance giant WellPoint Inc., parent of Anthem Blue Cross, is picking a veteran hospital executive who has never run a public company to become its next chief executive.


The Indianapolis insurer says Trinity Health CEO Joseph Swedish will take over March 25, replacing interim CEO John Cannon.


WellPoint, the nation's second-largest health insurance company, has been searching for a new leader since Angela Braly resigned in August amid investor frustration over disappointing financial results.








The company runs Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in 14 states, including Anthem — the largest for-profit insurer in California. It also runs CareMore clinics in California and other states.


Swedish, 61, has been CEO at Trinity Health in Livonia, Mich., since December 2004. Under his leadership, revenue at the nonprofit Catholic healthcare system increased from $5.7 billion in 2005 to $8.9 billion in 2012, and total assets increased from $7.5 billion to $11.7 billion. The organization's community benefit ministry, which includes care for the poor and community heath activity, increased from $265 million in 2005 to $615 million in 2012.


Swedish's resume includes work with HCA, the nation's largest hospital chain. He also has served as a director for another insurer, Coventry Health Care.


In his new job, Swedish's tasks will include helping WellPoint prepare for coverage expansions that start next year under the federal healthcare overhaul.





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Health insurer WellPoint picks Joseph Swedish as its new CEO