Benjy Green is Vice President, Business Development of Magellan Health.
Check out his LinkedIn profile HERE.
1. Which segment of the industry are you currently involved?
I have been at Magellan for about 18 months now, and loving it. I’m currently working on various Medicaid RFPs, ranging from LTSS to TANF populations in different states.
2. How many years have you been in the Medicaid industry?
I have over ~20 years experience in Medicaid and Government programs, with areas of focus including provider, state, federal and managed care organizations.
3. What is your focus/passion? (Industry related or not)
My number one focus is my wonderful family, wife Amanda and three teenagers (Ben, Zach and Kate). Outside of that is my passion to help the underserved and vulnerable populations.
I stumbled into this career path by starting in the business office of a small provider. I quickly felt the desire to do more for this population and transitioned into state employment at a Texas Medicaid Agency. I can’t imagine doing anything else, this is what drives me.
4. What is the top item on your “bucket list?”
I’m not sure I have one top item, but we love to travel. We are looking at options in Europe in the near future and plan to visit Scotland for my 50th in a few years to play St. Andrews, the home of golf.
5. What do you enjoy doing most with your personal time?
Spending time with my family, friends, including my four legged friends. My family is heavily involved with the DFW Labrador Retriever Rescue Club, so in addition to our Jack Russel (Scooter) two labs (Bria and Kenner), we often have a foster dog running around as well. I also enjoy as much golf as I can get in.
6. Who is your favorite historical figure and why?
I’m not sure I could pick just one. But if hard pressed, I’d go with any of our country’s founders. They were a complimentary mix of writers, philosophers, and politicians who not only led the revolution, but had the foresight to put the structure of this great country in place hundreds of years ago.
7. What is your favorite junk food?
I love chocolate and anything covered in chocolate.
8. Of what accomplishment are you most proud?
I am a first generation college graduate with a Master’s degree. Even though my parents didn’t have the means or opportunity to attend college, they understood the importance of higher education, and pushed my brother and me to graduate from college. As a parent myself, I share the same philosophy, and will do everything possible for my children to have the same opportunities that I did.
9. For what one thing do you wish you could get a mulligan?
Running for my neighborhood HOA board! (This is my sense of humor coming through, if you don’t know me personally).
In all seriousness, I’m not a fan of mulligans on the course and therefore wouldn’t take one in life either. I feel the decisions, good or bad, have lead me to where I am today, both professionally and personally. I’m living my best life today, and am very thankful for the experiences that have gotten me to this place.
10. What are the top 1-3 issues that you think will be important in Medicaid during the next 6 months?
Approach to “managing” members – historically the focus has been on managing the physical health of Medicaid populations. As organizations dig deeper into the data, it’s becoming apparent to be successful we must focus on the behavioral diagnoses (where applicable), then the physical. Here at Magellan, with our more than 40 years of behavioral experience, we are evolving our approach which is making a difference, especially with the vulnerable populations we are entrusted to serve. We are also using technology to our advantage to not only reach the members but gathering data from all streams (physical, behavioral and pharmacy) to better understand how we can make a difference.
SDoH – as organizations improve the importance of the interdependencies in Medicaid populations, the relevance of the Social Determinates of Health is a driver to be successful to improve outcomes within the Medicaid populations.
Opioids – this has a tremendous financial impact on all of healthcare, not just Medicaid. Everyone (payers, pharma and providers) must meet on common ground to address the epidemic and find a solution.