President , Highmark Health Options West Virginia
Jason Landers
President , Highmark Health Options West Virginia
CATHY BONNSTETTER
President of Highmark Health Options West Virginia , the state ’ s newest Medicaid managed care program , Jason Landers is a West Virginia native who says his success is a reflection of his environment .
“ I grew up on the eastern end of Kanawha County . In our state , you are never more than a degree or two from anybody else ,” he says . “ There is no place to hide in West Virginia . I think having the experience of living and working under these close relationships , with the knowledge that there are no secrets , has served me well .”
Landers holds a Bachelor of Science in business management with a focus in economics from the West Virginia Institute of Technology . He also holds a Master of Business Administration from West Virginia University ( WVU ). He is a first-generation college graduate and says his college credentials gave him the opportunity to help and influence the well-being of fellow West Virginians .
Although he and his wife briefly left the state in the late 1980s to find professional opportunities , they later returned home to stay .
“ Home was always in West Virginia ,” he says . “ We wanted to be an example of the people who were willing to grow with and in the state .”
Landers says he has held nearly every
single job in the insurance world during his 30-year tenure . He started as a member service representative .
“ I tell my team that if they really want to learn this business , do not be afraid to answer the phones ,” he says . “ In order to answer the phones and talk with members and providers , you have to understand the building blocks of health care : providing care , billing for that care , paying for those same services and helping the people you are talking to understand the process .”
Landers returned to Highmark in 2022 , where he had previously worked as vice president of the West Virginia Medicaid Market . He also spent 12
Photo by John Sibold .
years working in health care for Camden Clark Medical Center and Camden Clark Physicians Corporation in a variety of roles and worked for Acordia of West Virginia and PrimeOne , the state ’ s first statewide health management organization .
Paul Holden , then-president of Prime- One , and PrimeOne ’ s then-vice-president of business development , John Fischer , helped Landers develop a sharp business sense . Landers worked with both men beginning in an entry level position at Accordia National in Charleston , WV .
“ These men allowed me the freedom to be innovative and forward thinking ,” he says . “ It was a true team environment .
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