PROVIDENCE, RI – Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) has named Matt Collins, M.D., MBA, to the role of executive vice president and chief medical officer. In this role, which became effective on October 1, Collins will lead medical management, which encompasses the areas of care management, utilization management and behavioral health management. He will also lead efforts to ensure the affordability of healthcare services.

Collins first joined BCBSRI in 2015 as vice president of clinical integration. His background as a family physician and medical director, his passion for designing and implementing care models across diverse populations, and his deep understanding of how to manage the quality, experience and performance of behavioral health networks for health plans, have been tremendous assets at BCBSRI. His passion for innovative solutions also led him to launch BCBSRI’s first-ever provider medical expense trend summit, soliciting ideas from provider partners on how best to address healthcare affordability.

“We look forward to Matt’s leadership in developing innovative solutions as we continue working toward our goal of ensuring our members get the right care, at the right time and in the right setting,” said Kim Keck, BCBSRI president and CEO. “Matt’s background as a primary care physician and as a medical director—coupled with his experience designing and implementing care models across commercial, Medicare and Medicaid populations—makes him a perfect fit for this critical role.”

Prior to joining BCBSRI, Collins served as senior director of medical affairs at Fallon Community Health Plan in Massachusetts and was the medical director of Neighborhood Health Plan in Massachusetts. Collins earned his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine, and his MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He is currently a clinical assistant professor at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and is a primary care physician and teacher at the Family Care Center in Pawtucket, which is part of the Brown Family Medicine Residency program. Collins also serves as team doctor for the U.S. Rowing team, a role he has played since 2006.  

Collins succeeds Gus Manocchia, M.D., who joined BCBSRI in 2002, initially as the senior medical director. He was named chief medical officer in 2009. In his new role, Manocchia will serve as physician advisor to the BCBSRI special investigations unit, chair the physician performance advisory committee and advise the sales team and key customer accounts around issues of healthcare costs, use of healthcare services and quality.

“During his career, Gus has become known as a change agent and a pioneer, charting new territory,” Keck said. “As a company – and as a state – we will continue to benefit from the strong relationships Gus has built in the provider community, from his vast knowledge about the Rhode Island clinical landscape, and from his passionate commitment to affordable healthcare. I know Gus is excited at the prospect of continuing to advance our vision of passionately leading a state of health and well-being in Rhode Island, and I look forward to his continued partnership.”