Digital health insurer Oscar hires officer to help expand networks

(Bloomberg) -- Startup health insurer Oscar Insurance Corp. hired Dennis Weaver as chief clinical officer to oversee work with doctors and hospitals and help build tighter partnerships with health systems.

Weaver, a physician who was previously chief medical officer at health and education consultant Advisory Board Co., will start at Oscar on Aug. 14. The role is new, though he will take on some responsibilities previously held by Shaden Marzouk, the chief medical officer who left Oscar late last year.

Oscar has relied on narrow networks crafted in partnership with hospital groups to expand into new markets for Obamacare plans, saying they can help limit costs for members and provide better care. The company will sell Affordable Care Act plans in the Cleveland area for next year in a venture with the Cleveland Clinic, for example.

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Signage is displayed on a glass door inside the Oscar Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York, U.S., on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. The Oscar Center runs in partnership with Mount Sinai Health Systems providing primary care services and health and wellness programs. Photographer: Kholood Eid/Bloomberg

“Dennis’s extensive experience working with providers and health systems helping them transition to population health more aggressively will also be instrumental as we look to expand and partner closely with health systems,” said Oscar Chief Executive Officer Mario Schlosser.

Weaver is leaving Advisory Board as that firm undergoes a strategic review. The company is preparing to split itself up and sell the pieces to UnitedHealth Group Inc. and Vista Equity Partners, people familiar with the matter said last month.

In addition to a medical degree from the University of Iowa, Weaver has an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. He trained as an obstetrician and gynecologist.

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