Mercy Health appoints vice president of health economics

(CINCINNATI; August 16, 2016) - Mercy Health – a Catholic healthcare ministry serving Ohio and Kentucky, announces that Jim Eldred has joined Mercy Health as its vice president of health economics. 

Eldred is responsible for developing Mercy Health’s analytical capabilities to help the Ministry achieve revenue goals, identify contract improvements and optimize service lines and program performance. He works with a cross-functional group to help provide insights into Mercy Health’s performance, ability and profitability by region, site and service line. Eldred joined the ministry in July and reports to Drew Banks, Mercy Health’s Chief Strategy Officer. 

"Jim’s significant experience brings Mercy Health a deep understanding of health insurance costs, payer perspectives, provider dynamics and industry forces, all of which will help drive our future growth," said Banks. "As the healthcare environment, benefit plan designs and patient demographics continue to evolve, data analytics and insights play key roles in helping us anticipate and meet demand for services effectively and efficiently for the benefit of those in our care." 

Eldred’s previous experience includes 16 years at Humana and 6 years at Towers Perrin, both based in Cincinnati. At Humana, he held commercial leadership roles that encompassed operational finance, medical cost management and the management of provider engagement, value based care programs. At Towers Perrin, he consulted with large employers on the design and management of their health and welfare benefit programs. 

A Cleveland native, Eldred graduated from Miami University and has trained in underwriting, consulting, project leadership and business strategy execution. He is active in the Cincinnati community, serving as a Fine Arts Fund campaign leader, as well as a volunteer with People Working Cooperatively, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Cincinnati Mayor’s Corporate Challenge. He and his wife Cindy have three daughters and reside in Anderson Township.