Tampa, Fla.-based WellCare Health Plans — a private Medicare and Medicaid managed care company — has terminated CMO Steve Goldberg, MD, according to a Tampa Bay Business Journal report.
Here are four things to know about Dr. Goldberg.
1. He was told his employment as senior vice president and CMO of the company will be terminated, effective April 1, 2016.
2. As of Dec. 7, 2015, he is no longer deemed an executive officer of WellCare, but he has agreed to remain with the company through the termination date and assist with the transition of his duties and responsibilities, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. If Dr. Goldberg remains with the company and assists with the transition of his duties and responsibilities through his termination date, his termination will be deemed a termination by the company without "cause," which will entitle him to the severance benefits.
3. Dr. Goldberg has served as senior vice president and CMO since July 2013. In that role, he has been responsible for "coordinating WellCare's clinical functions, driving enterprise-wide quality and accreditation results and enhancing the company's cultural competency initiatives," according to WellCare's most recent proxy filing with the SEC. He also has represented WellCare's public position on healthcare and medical issues with regulators, government customers, providers and trade groups.
4. Amid Dr. Goldberg's departure, WellCare is dividing responsibilities across three areas: quality, utilization management and model of care, according to WellCare. These responsibilities will be assigned to three chief medical director roles, who will report to Michael Radu, WellCare's senior vice president of clinical operations and business development.
5. WellCare officials said the leadership changes are aimed at enhancing relationships with medical providers and members and driving results, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal.