Anthem Blue Cross President Resigns

Anthem Blue Cross President Leslie Margolin has resigned, the Woodland Hills-based insurer’s parent company Wellpoint, Inc. announced, Margolin, whose resignation was effective July 20, is leaving the company for another healthcare venture. Mark Morgan, Anthem’s vice president of small group sales, will serve as the company’s acting president on an interim basis, effective immediately. Margolin’s departure comes after extensive federal-level criticism of Anthem after it attempted to raise premiums by an average of 25 percent, with increases reaching up to 39 percent. The company scrapped the plan in April due to mathematical errors. Anthem resubmitted its rate increase proposal in June, switching to an average 14-percent rate hike. Morgan has led the development of sales and distribution strategies for the Anthem’s small group business since 2008. Before joining Anthem, he held several senior-level leadership roles in sales, operations and product development at Blue Shield of California and Health Net. Wellpoint credits Margolin with collaborating with hospital providers across the state and implementing innovative initiatives that improve patient safety and quality outcomes. Jessica Selva