HFMA Elects Florida Blue's Jonathan Gavras to Board of Directors

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) — the nation's largest and leading membership organization for healthcare finance professionals — has elected Jonathan B. Gavras, M.D., to its Board of Directors for the 2013-16 term, effective June 1, 2013.

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Dr. Gavras is Senior Vice President, Delivery System, and Chief Medical Officer of Florida Blue, Florida's Blue Cross and Blue Shield company. In this role, he is responsible for the oversight and management of network operations, medical informatics and all health care, pharmacy, quality and medical cost management functions.

Dr. Gavras' appointment marks the first time the HFMA has elected a Board of Directors member from a commercial insurance company.

"Jon will be a key addition to HFMA's board as the healthcare industry evolves to align the roles and interests of hospitals, physicians, and payers," says Joseph J. Fifer, FHFMA, CPA, President and CEO of HFMA. "Jon brings both the payer and physician perspectives, along with proven results in working with hospitals to align incentives for efficient, high-quality care."

Florida Blue has been at the forefront in creating incentive-based payment models. Under Dr. Gavras' leadership within Delivery System, over the past year the company has introduced seven accountable care based reimbursement models with key hospital groups within the state.

Additionally, Florida Blue Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) program serves nearly 690,000 Florida Blue members, and focuses on improving physicians' performance in both clinical quality and cost and efficiency.

Dr. Gavras also serves on the Board of Directors of the American Lung Association. He holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry and Psychology from Case Western Reserve University and a Doctor of Medicine from New York Medical College. He completed his training in internal medicine and pulmonary diseases at the University of Rochester, where he served as Chief Medical Resident and Clinical Fellow.

About HFMA
The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) provides the resources healthcare organizations need to achieve sound fiscal health in order to provide excellent patient care. With more than 39,000 members in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, HFMA is the nation's leading membership organization of healthcare finance executives and leaders. HFMA helps its members achieve results by providing education, analysis, and guidance, and creating practical tools and solutions that optimize financial management. The organization is a respected and innovative thought leader on top trends and challenges facing the healthcare finance industry. HFMA is the indispensable resource for healthcare finance. hfma.org

About Florida Blue
Florida Blue, Florida's Blue Cross and Blue Shield company, is a leader in Florida's health care industry. Our mission is to help people and communities achieve better health. Florida Blue has approximately 4 million health care members and serves 15.5 million people in 16 states through its affiliated companies. Florida Blue is a not-for- profit, policyholder-owned, tax-paying mutual company. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., it is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.floridablue.com.

SOURCE Florida Blue