Connecting with
Executive Director Carrie Banahan
Aaron Burch & Michael Stillman, MD
Michael Stillman, MD, and GLMS Communications Specialist Aaron Burch recently sat down for an extended interview
with Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange (KHBE) Executive Director Carrie Banahan and Asst. Communications Director Gwenda Bond. Banahan and Bond have been instrumental in guiding the Kynect program, Kentucky’s rollout of the
Affordable Care Act which allows residents to easily decide what health care is more appropriate for their family online
via kyenroll.ky.gov. Despite Kentucky having one of the most successful rollouts in the nation, Banahan says there is still
much work to be done. However, she remains optimistic that next year will be even more successful that the last.
What led you (Carrie) to become the executive director of the
Office of the Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange?
Carrie: When we first started planning for a health benefit exchange
in 2010, I was the executive director of the office of health policy.
We coordinated our efforts among my staff, the dept for Medicaid
services, the department of insurance and our IT staff. I’ve been
involved since the ground up. I have extensive experience in insurance, especially in Medicaid, over 16 years, the deputy commissioner
for Medicaid as well as its health director. So I think they felt I was
a good choice to head up the exchange because of the integration
between Medicaid and commercial health insurance.
What was your background?
Carrie: I graduated from U of L in 1982 with a degree in Business
Administratio