CMS stated on Aug. 30 that Ellen Montz, Ph.D., will serve as deputy administrator and director of the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight. Dr. Montz is leaving Virginia’s Medicaid department, where she served as chief deputy and top health economist. She was a driving force for Medicaid expansion and value-based treatment, particularly for underprivileged groups.
- Dr. Ellen Montz has been named Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO); Dr. Natalia Chalmers has been named the first-ever Chief Dental Officer in the Office of the Administrator; and Dara Corrigan has been named Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Program Integrity by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CPI).
- These professionals will lead throughout the agency’s portfolio of programs, which connect millions of people to high-quality, affordable, and accessible health coverage. They have decades of experience in the clinic, government, and community.
- “’ As we work to deliver the Biden-Harris Build Back Better agenda, CMS is delighted to charge these key leaders with building on the Affordable Care Act, advancing oral health, and ensuring policy is implemented to the highest standard,’ said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure.
- ‘Dr. Ellen Montz’s wealth of experience in government and policy will be critical as CMS works to deliver high quality, affordable health coverage and increase transparency around health care costs”, continued Brooks. Dr. Montz previously served as chief deputy and chief health economist at Virginia’s state Medicaid department, playing a central role in the state’s Medicaid expansion, pandemic response, and investment in value-based care, particularly for underserved communities
- Dr. Montz will continue the fight for affordable, accessible health coverage at CCIIO, which oversees HealthCare.gov and the federal insurance Marketplace, riding the wave of the recent special enrollment session. She also worked at HHS and on the White House Domestic Policy Council during the Obama administration. Within the administration, Dr. Montz was in charge of implementing portions of the Affordable Care Act.