Q&A With Bob Wychulis, Chief Executive, Healthplus — an Amerigroup Company

In May, Health Plus, a New York Medicaid managed care company, became part of Amerigroup, a managed care company based out of Virginia Beach, Va. Health Plus served about 320,000 members in New York State’s Medicaid, Family Health Plus and Child Health Plus programs and is one of the largest Medicaid managed care companies in New York. Amerigroup currently operates in the five boroughs of New York and in Putnam County and serves more than two million members in 12 states.

Q: What do you do in your role as CEO of the health plan?

I am responsible for managing all of the day-to-day health plan operations in New York. I meet with policymakers, community organizations and key staff members to ensure our members receive the best quality care available.

Q: What brought you to New York?

I began my career as a business administrator for the Metropolitan Center for Mental Health in New York City. I am originally from New York and graduated from high school in Brooklyn. I went to college at City University of New York and then went on to New York University for my graduate degree.

Q: How will the recent acquisition affect members?

All of our members will continue to receive the same benefits and great products – they are not changing. Now they are backed by a team that has more doctors, more hospitals and more choices than ever.

Q: What do you see as some of the benefits of this recent acquisition?

Health Plus and Amerigroup share a lot of parallel tracks — regardless of the moniker. The two plans are very much aligned in their commitment to quality care, decreasing readmissions and to the expansion of Medicaid managed care. The combined expertise of both health plans in coordinating care for low-income populations, seniors and people with disabilities will support the state in its effort to better manage many of the most vulnerable citizens in New York. We look forward to serving our new members, enhancing collaboration with providers and strengthening our presence in the community.

Q: How will Amerigroup’s new presence benefit the state of New York?

I think that as an established New York health plan, we have the infrastructure to not only provide top quality care to our members, but we can also leverage efficiencies to bring cost savings to the state. The acquisition comes at a good time – as it will be aligned with the Governor’s Medicaid Redesign Team’s goals of improved efficiencies and the transition to mandatory managed long-term care for seniors.