Ilene Wachs is a C-suite executive with background in healthcare and insurance industry sectors. She took a casualty subsidiary of $13 Billion Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey from startup to full maturity. Today, Horizon Casualty Services, Inc. produces a significant percentage of Horizon Enterprise operating profits and 45% profit margins. Her expertise includes healthcare value innovation, go to market, healthcare PPO strategy, digital platforms and risk management. Ilene currently sits on the Horizon Casualty Services, Inc. board and seeks an outside corporate board director opportunity where she can contribute significant value.

How did you become an executive in the health care industry? Did you always have an interest in health care?

I have had strong passion for healthcare since childhood. In those days, women, if they worked at all outside the home, were generally teachers, nurses or secretaries. I remember the exact moment when my father asked what profession might interest me to which I replied that I wanted to be a nurse. My life pivoted when he responded “why not a doctor”? After college, I worked as a medical assistant and patient educator in a privately held women’s health facility in Boston. Being in the exam room with patients and the OB/GYN physician was impactful. I decided not to study medicine, but rather pursue a Master’s Degree in Public Health at Yale University. My career after graduate school blossomed, starting at Montefiore Medical Center, New York City where I ultimately held important leadership roles. Following Montefiore, I took the time to make a major career change, and through heavy networking and simple serendipity, was selected to lead a startup casualty company for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey that is the most successful company ever created by Horizon. 

You joined WBL as a member towards the end of 2020 – thank you for becoming a part of our network! What has been the most valuable benefit of membership to you so far?

The most valuable benefit of WBL membership has been the warm welcome I have received from the WBL community and the scores of new amazing people I have met: healthcare leaders in all sectors and from all geographies. My goal is to network to a board director seat. I am well on my way thanks to WBL members who have been so gracious and supportive, along with the tremendous WBL programs including fabulous WBL Summit.    

As Founder and President of over 25 years, you have grown Horizon Casualty Services, Inc. into one of the most successful subsidiaries of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. How did your focus on intrapreneurship contribute to this accomplishment?

When I was hired by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon) to lead the startup that ultimately became Horizon Casualty Services, Inc., initial capital financing of $1.3 million dollars had just been approved by the board. The fledgling company, now a workers’ compensation managed care organization and personal injury protection services company, had no name, no clients, no computer system and no employees. In my role as an intrepreneur, I succeeded in effectively leveraging the Horizon brand, its vast size and excellent relationships with medical providers to help create the independently contracted Horizon Casualty Services PPO consisting of physicians and facilities expert in treating people injured on the job and in auto accidents. Wisely, the parent company allowed Horizon Casualty Services to innovate independently, ultimately resulting in our creation of unique proprietary software, digitized workflows and integrated data analytics. The company has improved the health of hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents, enabling them to recover effectively from their injuries and continue to lead productive lives.

You have excelled in the same role for a number of years. How do you challenge yourself to stay motivated, learn new skills, and refresh your perspective?

As the leader of Horizon Casualty Services, Inc. I must ensure that the company is continually inventing new value offerings and remains state of the art in every way. We must also make certain that we are on top of what’s going on in our markets in terms of disruptive innovation and competitor strategies. In order to effectively lead the company to remain #1 in its markets, I am on a continuous learning journey. Most recently I participated in programs on artificial intelligence (AI), block chain and an amazing set of programs with futurists – so that at all times I know what’s around the corner and our company is not only prepared, but leading the charge. 

Personally or professionally, what might the WBL network be surprised to know about you?

I am a very strong believer in work/life balance and encourage all employees to leave no vacation days on the table. I walk the talk and am a frequent worldwide traveler. Prior to grad school, I backpacked alone throughout Europe, ending up in London where I worked at the Royal Free Hospital funded by a grant that I wrote and submitted to the British National Health Service. Just at the cusp of the pandemic, my husband and I concluded a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia – returning to New York at the end of January 2020 via Hong Kong when the announcement came out of Wuhan of a mysterious virus spreading. 

My travels have included most countries in Europe plus Nepal, Bhutan, Tanzania, Ruanda, Israel, Jordan, French Polynesia, New Zealand and other exotic experiences. I have also traveled extensively in the United States – and seen all but a handful of the National Parks. Adventure is always our priority – my husband and I love hiking while traveling or on weekends. We have two amazing daughters, also in healthcare – both with Public Health master’s degrees – and two grandsons and a granddaughter on the way. I am a member of the Women’s Forum of New York and am immediate past president of the Education Fund of the Women’s Forum which included multiple promotional TV opportunities on ABC and Fox networks.