Sutter Health Plus taps ex-Cigna exec as CEO

Sutter Health has named Aparna Abburi as CEO of its Sutter Health Plus insurance subsidiary, the company announced Wednesday.

Abburi, who will also be senior vice president of population health and health plan services for the Sacramento, California-based nonprofit health system, succeeds Phil Jackson, who retired in August after seven years as chief executive. Vice President of Operations Pete Bergamo was interim CEO.

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Abburi was president of Cigna's Medicare and CareAllies management services divisions from 2020 to 2023, according to her LinkedIn profile. She previously held executive positions at Health Care Service Corp., Centene and UnitedHealth Group. She also has board positions with outpatient imaging company MedQuest and offshore consulting firm Everise.

The executive departed Cigna in November 2023, two months before the insurer inked a $3.3 billion deal to sell its Medicare operations to HCSC in a transaction expected to close early next year.

“Her extensive experience and proven success in insurance growth, care coordination and product development will help us expand the Sutter Health Plan to serve more members, as well as innovate, adapt and align our value-based care models to provide patients more equitable and personalized care," Sutter Health President and CEO Warner Thomas said in a news release. Sutter Health Plus will change its name to Sutter Health Plan on Jan. 1.

Abburi will focus on growing Medicare Advantage membership and Medicare risk-sharing contracts, strengthening population health programs, and enhancing commercial insurance coverage, according to Sutter Health. She will also work with Sutter Health Network President Dr. Conrad Vial to build out the health system’s clinical network.

The incoming executive will be Sutter Health's first senior vice president of population health. The company created the position in response to its growing number of older policyholders, a spokesperson said.

“I’m excited to work alongside Sutter’s exceptional team to develop integrated solutions that improve patient experience, health outcomes and create a sustainable path forward,” Abburi said in the news release.