Patty Starr Email & Phone Number

Cleveland/Akron, Ohio Area

Health Action Council is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) organization representing mid and large-size employers that enhances human and economic health through thought leadership, innovative services, and collaboration. It provides value to its members by facilitating projects that improve the quality and moderate the cost of healthcare purchased by its members for their employees, dependents, and retirees.Health Action Council also collaborates with key stakeholders - health plans, physicians, hospitals, and the pharmaceutical industry - to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare in the community.Lead the organization through a multi-stakeholder strategic planning process, collaborating with staff, board & and community partners to provide a voice for purchasers who offer healthcare benefits to employees, dependents, and retirees. Doubled staff to 19 team members & continue to expand and enhance group purchasing programs and strengthen and improve member tools and resources. ➜ Engaged in an extensive 9-month strategic planning process to chart a course for moving forward, serving as the foundation for 4 years of back-to-back net growth, 95% member retention.➜ Established the mission and vision of the organization, putting in place the guiding principles, and aligning actions with the goal of improving quality and moderate cost health, wellness, and disability benefits for member populations.➜ Grew awareness of the organization by taking a thought leadership stance in the healthcare community, advocating for member issues of common interest, sharing expertise through speaking engagements, and earning coveted honor as one of the Most Notable Women in Healthcare in Northeast Ohio.➜ Conducted a publicly procured request for proposal on behalf of pharmacy benefit program users, resulting in providing members with a choice of endorsed PBM vendors including CVS / Caremark and OptumRx.

Cleveland/Akron, Ohio Area

Cleveland, Ohio

Directed strategy, program planning, and business development surrounding benefit programs for small businesses, providing 9,000 member companies—driving $350M in annual premium and $11M+ in revenue—with the opportunity to offer competitive and affordable benefits packages to 140,000 plan participants. Served as a source of up-to-date, relevant healthcare and healthcare reform information as the in-house expert and resource for members, Board, and staff. Managed a team of 20+ and work with the Board to review the strategic direction of health insurance and wellness programs.➜ Conducted a complete review of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, understanding its impact on COSE’s current health insurance business model in addition to identifying opportunities to cultivate new revenue streams.➜ Maintained leading-edge regulatory awareness to advocate for member needs through collaboration with legislators on a state and federal level. Educated stakeholders on legislative impact on day-to-day business operations.➜ Developed a business plan for co-op and private health insurance exchange (PHIX) to narrow COSE’s focus to specific interest areas. Orchestrated the business plan development process based on long-term market strategies.➜ Improved retention 3-fold by cultivating relationships throughout COSE’s membership base—met with 1,000 members annually—establishing client outreach processes, and developing marketing and web-based renewal tools.➜ Drove new product development based on growth opportunities and healthcare reform; conducted competitive and market analysis to ensure members and staff understood options, challenges, and available business solutions.➜ Created and facilitated continuing education classes to sell-out, standing-room-only audiences, garnering a reputation as a subject matter expert on healthcare reform, healthcare plans, and benefits selection.

Cleveland, Ohio

Developed, launched, and grew a brokerage to generate $500K+ in annual revenue through the delivery of insurance plans—individual, small-group, vision, dental, and life—to small business clients. Managed the operation of the business, defined short- and long-term plans, entered new market segments, and secured and sustained a loyal book of business. Forecasted financials, reviewed results, and analyzed variances to uncover continuous improvement opportunities.➜ Built book of business to $6M+ in annual premiums written, developing and executing a strategic corporate business plan to steer business development, account acquisition, third-party and carrier relations, and client retention initiatives.➜ Became a ‘go-to’ resource for customers—being viewed as an exclusive partner to clients despite operating within a co-owned practice—based on subject matter expertise, interpersonal skills, and relationship management abilities.➜ Consulted with carriers to not only provide marketplace feedback, but also to fuel the development of long-term products, identify new market segments, and pinpoint the distribution channels to maximize consumer outreach.

Cleveland, Ohio

Developed highly successful individual product lines—SaveWell and SuperMed One—involving managing product from concept through market delivery. Performed financial forecasting for sales and retention, developed process and documentation flow, and trained sales and service teams on product and member support. Orchestrated go-to-market strategies for new products, managing the distribution model, compensation structures, incentives, and reward systems.➜ Created the brand identity for new products—some of the most successful products offered today—including guiding development of graphics and print and web materials, developing advertising plan, and managing promotional campaigns.

Cleveland/Akron, Ohio Area

As project specialist, maintained and managed documentation critical in achieving URAC and NCQA certifications, ensuring compliance in processes, procedures, and materials. Supported the Marketing organization by developing member education materials and communications around preventive services, chronic medical conditions, and patients’ rights. As proposal specialist, led projects to drive organizational efficiencies and effectiveness, updated and maintained product information, redesigned sales and marketing collateral, and developed a division style guide to promote consistency visuals and messaging.➜ Improved access to proposal submission and bid information through development of a shared database housing proposal responses and statistical data. Created internal database to house FAQs and answers to ensure consistent RFIs.➜ Coordinated involvement with vendors and contractors, managing the bid development and proposal analysis process, and serving as a resource for outsourcing coordination and vendor procurement.