Better Medicare Alliance Names Deborah Estes as Director of Policy and Research
Experienced Medicare operations and compliance expert joins BMA’s team
Washington, D.C. – Better Medicare Alliance, a community of more than 425,000 beneficiaries and 143 ally organizations supporting Medicare Advantage (MA), announced the hire of Deborah Estes, M.S. as its new Director of Policy and Research.
As the former Director of Medicare Programs and Quality for PerformRx, a pharmacy benefits manager serving Medicare Part D plans, Estes brings nearly a decade of health policy expertise to her new role.
Estes previously served a six-year tenure at Evolent Health, a medical technology company focusing on value-based care services and payment solutions, culminating in a role as Associate Director of Medicare and Medicaid Operations. There, Estes was responsible for reviewing all major Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations and implementing operational changes stemming from CMS guidance.
“Better Medicare Alliance’s strong policy and research arm is the driving force by which we build the evidence for the value of Medicare Advantage, develop policy positions, and present data necessary for advocacy for the future of MA,” said Allyson Y. Schwartz, President and CEO of the Better Medicare Alliance. “Deborah’s extensive Medicare compliance and operations expertise made her a natural fit for this role. With her addition to our talented team, Better Medicare Alliance is positioned for continued success in this pivotal year and beyond.”
Earlier in her career, Estes served as a Medicare Quality Assurance Analyst for Catamaran, a pharmacy benefits manager now part of Optum. Estes began her health care career in 2011 as a Benefits Specialist for Health Advocate, a Pennsylvania-based firm helping beneficiaries navigate complex health coverage options.
Estes is a Connecticut native and a graduate of Union College in Schenectady, NY. She received her Master of Science degree from Marymount University in Arlington, VA.
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