R.I. Health Insurance Commissioner Tigue to step down

R.I. HEALTH INSURANCE COMMISSIONER Patrick Tigue is stepping down, announced Gov. Daniel J. McKee on Monday. / COURTESY EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

PROVIDENCE – R.I. Health Insurance Commissioner Patrick M. Tigue is stepping down after almost two years of state service, Gov. Daniel J. McKee announced on Monday.

McKee is set to name an interim commissioner before Tigue’s last day in the office on Dec. 2.

“It has been a privilege to serve the people of Rhode Island and lead the dedicated, expert, and professional team at the State of Rhode Island Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner in this role,” said Tigue. “Improving health outcomes for all Rhode Islanders remains urgently needed and I have complete confidence that the office will continue to make this more of a reality each and every day.”

Tigue took on the role in January 2021, after his predecessor Marie L. Ganim announced her plans to retire. During his tenure, Tigue focused on improving accessibility, affordability and quality of the health care system through delivery system and payment reforms. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked to ensure insurance coverage for COVID-19 testing, treatment, and care, accelerating delivery system reform, increasing health care affordability, increasing access to behavioral health care, and promoting transparency and accountability for health care costs.

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He led the state commercial health insurance policy reform and regulatory enforcement agency; saved consumers $41.7 million by cutting increases proposed by insurers for 2022; and expanded access to telehealth. Tigue also advised on the proposed merger between Lifespan Corp. and Care New England Health System, releasing working papers outlining the potential statewide impact of the transaction on the affordability, access to and quality of health care in Rhode Island.

Before becoming the state’s health insurance commissioner, Tigue served as principal at Health Management Associates in Boston. Previously, he was Medicaid director at the State of Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services, where he led the Medicaid Program and handled an annual budget of approximately $2.5 billion to serve nearly 300,000 residents. He also negotiated an extension of the Rhode Island Comprehensive Demonstration 1115 waiver with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to preserve critical federal flexibility and funding; and he served as east regional representative for the board of directors of the National Association of Medicaid Directors.

Prior to serving as Medicaid director, he was the director of commercial products at Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island where he oversaw commercial product line and design, rate development and federal regulatory compliance, among other responsibilities.

According to McKee’s announcement, Tigue is planning on spending the holidays with his family before starting the next phase of his career, “exploring opportunities outside of government.”

“I’d like to thank Commissioner Tigue for his efforts during my administration to improve health care access, affordability and quality,” said McKee. “I look forward to working with him to ensure a smooth transition for this important agency.”

Claudia Chiappa is a PBN staff writer. You may contact her at Chiappa@PBN.com. 

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