PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Patti Laughren has been hired as Regence's newest health care strategy executive. Laughren, a health care network executive with nearly 20 years experience, will lead the Regence Accountable Health Systems strategy and provider partnership innovation activities.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120910/SF71403)

In this role within the Health Care Services division, Laughren will direct the overall development and implementation of Regence's Accountable Health Systems strategy and oversee expansion opportunities of the company's network strategy initiatives. This newly established roleis critical to the company's long-term goals and reflects Regence's commitment to transformation of health care delivery systems.

"Patti's proven leadership and creativity will be tremendous assets as we expand our efforts to reduce overall health care costs and improve quality," said Steve Gaspar, senior vice president, health care services. "She has the vision and experience necessary to lead positive change within our network delivery systems as we work together to provide better care at lower costs."

Laughren comes to Regence from Humana, Inc., where she held the position of Vice President of Provider Engagement. There, she was responsible for leading and implementing physician pay-for-performance programs across Humana's central and western divisions and executing market-specific risk contracting strategies for Medicare Advantage initiatives. She has also held leadership positions in network management and contracting at UnitedHealthcare and Aetna.

Laughren holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Investments from Babson College and is relocating from Chicago to Portland.

About Regence affiliated companiesThe Regence affiliated companies serve more than two million members through Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield (selected counties in Washington). Each health plan is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The Regence affiliated companies are committed to improving the health of its members and communities and to transforming the health care system. For more information, please visit http://www.regence.com or follow us on Twitter.

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Patti Laughren appointed as Vice President of Accountable Health Systems and Provider Innovation