New York, New York – Dec. 19, 2024 – EmblemHealth, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health insurers, today announced that Mike Palmateer, President of EmblemHealth, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer effective Jan. 1, 2025. Palmateer has served in many roles during his more than 18 years with the company, including Executive Vice President, Chief Business Officer, and Chief Financial Officer. Karen Ignagni, who has served EmblemHealth as Chief Executive Officer for nearly 10 years, has been appointed Executive Board Chair.
"Mike has been a steadfast and respected leader in our organization," Ignagni said. "This move rewards the work he has done and the effectiveness with which he has done it. We have fundamentally transformed EmblemHealth and Mike will skillfully lead us into our next phase. I am honored to continue to work with Mike and the team in my new role."
Ignagni’s new role will shift her focus to the external brand of the company. Her core accountabilities will be acting as the liaison with key customers such as the City of New York and its Unions, and continuing to drive the external impact of the company’s two most important community connection points: its primary and specialty care practice AdvantageCare Physicians and EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care, which provides in-person and virtual customer support, connections to community resources, and programming to help members and non-members improve their health and wellbeing. Ignagni, who previously led America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), will also leverage her experience as an industry thought leader to be the company’s voice with government and policy leaders as EmblemHealth continues to promote increased access to care and affordability.
Palmateer, with his more than 40 years of insurance industry experience, will lead the company post transformation, driving expansion in growth markets, technology investment, and quality efforts, as well as bringing to a close the recent transactions that have reshaped the organization. In recent years as president, Palmateer oversaw sales and product strategy, provider network and population health management, marketing and communications, facilities, and business transformation, which includes information technology and business operations.
"I want to thank Karen and the Board of Directors of EmblemHealth for the confidence they have placed in me. I look forward to continuing to build our strong team and accomplish the plan we have in place to best serve our customers and communities," Palmateer said. "Our members and patients will remain at the forefront of everything we do and I know the foundation we have built has positioned us for great success moving forward."
This planned transition demonstrates EmblemHealth’s commitment to continuity of coverage for its members as well as the company’s relentless focus on fulfilling its long-term strategy – providing high-quality health care for working families and driving greater health equity and community access.
About EmblemHealth
EmblemHealth is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health insurers, with more than three million members and an 80+-year legacy of serving New York’s communities. The company offers a full range of commercial and government-sponsored health plans to employers, individuals, and families, as well as convenient community resources. As a market leader in value-based care, EmblemHealth partners with top providers and hospitals to deliver quality, affordable care. For more information, visit emblemhealth.com.