WA: Exchange Announces Resignation of SHOP Director Keith Bell

Keith Bell has resigned as director of the Small Business Health Options (SHOP) Program at the Washington Health Benefit Exchange.

Exchange CEO Richard Onizuka announced Bell’s resignation at the Exchange Board’s monthly meeting today. He said Bell was stepping down for personal reasons.  “We will miss him,” Onizuka said.

Prior to his position at the Exchange, Bell was the director for national Medicare sales and marketing at Essence Health Care and assistant vice president for Medicare programs at Community Health Plan of Washington, where he oversaw the Medicare program in 26 counties in Washington.  Bell also held senior marketing and sales positions at Premera Blue Cross/LifeWise Health Plan of Washington, Providence Health Plans, Coordinated Care Options of Nevada and KB Associates.

Onizuka said Catherine Bailey, manager of the SHOP program, will step into Bell’s position on an interim basis.