CEO of lobbying group America’s Health Insurance Plans to depart

Matt Eyles, President and CEO of trade association America’s Health Insurance Plans, is leaving his position effective October 2, AHIP said Wednesday in a news release. The lobbying group said it will conduct a national search for Eyles’ replacement.

Eyles has led AHIP for the past five years — a historically profitable time for health insurers — and his departure surprised some in the industry. He joined AHIP in 2015, previously serving as COO and executive VP for policy and regulatory affairs.

In 2018, Eyles took over for Marilyn Tavenner, who became CEO of AHIP right after serving as the top administrator of Medicare and Medicaid under President Obama. Several insurers, including UnitedHealth Group and Humana, left the group during Tavenner’s tenure, although Humana later rejoined under Eyles.

Among AHIP’s major advocacy and reputational accomplishments during Eyles’ time as CEO include significant growth in Medicare Advantage, Medicaid managed care and ACA marketplace enrollment; permanently eliminating the health insurance tax; enacting legislation to protect consumers from surprise medical bills; advancing health equity efforts through the Vaccine Community Connectors program and other key initiatives; helping secure an extension of the enhanced ACA premium subsidies through 2025; and rebranding AHIP to recognize the industry’s role extends well beyond health insurance coverage to providing solutions that are “Guiding Greater Health.”

“The AHIP Board would like to express its gratitude to Matt for his visionary leadership and the steady hand with which he guided our industry at a critical time. Matt’s tenure as CEO delivered remarkable results. He played a pivotal role as our industry has innovated and evolved, and as we all navigated the COVID-19 pandemic.” said David Holmberg, AHIP Board Chair and President & CEO of Highmark Health. “Matt has been a tireless advocate for policies to expand market-driven health coverage and improve affordability for all Americans. We are saddened to see him go but wish him all the best in his next chapter.”

Related: AHIP’s policy roadmap targets improved access, affordability

“Leading AHIP has been the professional honor of a lifetime,” Eyles said in the release. “I am eager to watch AHIP and our industry leaders continue to improve health coverage, care, and affordability for consumers, businesses, and our nation. Down the road, I look forward to working on new pathways and collaborations to make our health care system better for everyone.”