Michael Cotton was placed as the chief executive officer of Providence Health Plan in Portland, Oregon, part of the integrated delivery system of Providence Health & Services. Providence Health Plan is a not-for-profit health insurance provider with more than 500,000 members nationwide. It is recognized as a national leader in quality, excellence, and innovation, having earned five-star ratings from CMS, ranking as one of the “Top 10 Most Admired Health Care Companies” by The Portland Business Journal in each of the eight years the award has been presented, and being given a first-place rating by health insurers in customer satisfaction within the greater Portland metropolitan area. The health plan has a “AA” rating from both Fitch and S&P.
Mike brings to the position over 25 years of diverse managed care and healthcare consulting experience, with a solid background in both operations and strategy. He has worked in many different arenas, including government-sponsored and provider-sponsored plans, commercial plans, wellness programs, and HMO and PHO environments, and on the multi-state and national levels.
Before joining Providence, Mike served as the vice president and chief operating officer of dual-eligible and Medicaid programs for Humana, Inc. in Louisville, Kentucky. In this capacity, he had direct P&L accountability and was responsible, on a national level, for the management operations of Medicaid and state-based contract programs, including dual demonstration and long-term care programs, which generated over $3 billion in revenue. He led operations and market teams based in Florida, Virginia, Illinois, and Kentucky, encompassing approximately 1,800 employees.
Previously, Mike served as a regional president for Evolent Health; as the chief executive officer of Alere Health; as the president of national health plans for WellCare Health Plans, Inc.; as a market leader and worldwide partner at Mercer; as the president and chief executive officer of Mid-Valley CareNet for Premier Health Partners; as the president and CEO of Amerigroup of Illinois; and as the chief operating officer of QualChoice Health Plan for University Hospitals Health System. He began his career as a program planner, product manager, and director of operations for various managed care organizations.
Mike is originally from Ohio, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in human biology and history from The Ohio State University, a second bachelor’s degree in management science from Franklin University, and an MBA in healthcare administration from Cleveland State University. Mike also holds a certificate of executive health care management from Case Western Reserve University. Mike and his wife have grown children, as well as four grandchildren.
