Peak Health
Formed in 2021 , Peak Health is a new West Virginia-based health insurance company that strives to make health care more accessible , understandable and collaborative in the Mountain State . With a launch in early 2023 , Peak Health will serve 30,000 WVU Medicine employees and their families . In 2024 , Peak Health will begin offering Medicare Advantage Plans to the public .
“ I ’ m excited about the launch of Peak Health , our new health insurance company ,” says Albert L . Wright , Jr ., president and CEO of the West Virginia University Health System and Peak Health ’ s board chair . “ Peak Health will be a game-changer for how we deliver health care in West Virginia .”
Wright explains that having fewer
administrative layers between patients and providers will help health care costs become more affordable .
“ Today you have thousands of health care institutions and individuals all doing their own things in a disjointed and siloed fashion ,” he says . “ We want to take all the clinical care and payer components and put them in one , streamlined and integrated process . The only way you truly lower the cost of care or improve outcomes is when you get financial alignment between the people who pay for health care and the people who provide health care . We have long thought that we must eliminate the administrative burden from the care process and start to act as one , integrated health system .”
learning about them , their needs and their challenges . I think I have been in every corner of the state , not only at our hospitals but at our rural clinics , which are in some of West Virginia ’ s most remote areas . Understanding and embracing that local perspective has shaped me and shaped how we developed as an organization .”
Wright considers his greatest achievement to be the time he has spent helping build a comprehensive network of care across the state and region .
“ As the academic health system of the state ’ s land-grant university , we are obligated to ensure the health care needs of all West Virginians are met . Building a network that provides easy access is our top priority ,” Wright says .
Dedicated to improving the quality and availability of health care in the Appalachian region , Wright looks forward to continuing the legacy of his organization through leadership and collaborative work with his team .
“ Throughout my professional journey ,
I have always been guided by my desire to make positive impacts and lasting changes where I work ,” he says . “ Serving as the WVU Health System ’ s president and CEO has been a real honor and privilege . I truly do consider myself to be the luckiest person in the world .”
A firm believer in developing and growing a new generation of leaders , Wright enjoys mentoring others .
“ I ’ m constantly mentoring people ,” he says . “ Investing time to mentor people and help them become great leaders is the obligation and responsibility of every senior leader .”
Knowing how important it is to give back to the community , Wright spent many years as a youth soccer coach and served on multiple boards .
“ There ’ s so much to love about West Virginia — the people , the culture , the traditions , the mindset , the geography — the list goes on and on ,” he says . “ I also love it here as I feel we ’ re making a real difference for people across West Virginia and the broader region .” •
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