SAN DIEGO, Feb. 28, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- San Diego-based American Specialty Health (ASH) has announced that Robert Crocker, MD, has joined its staff as chief medical officer. Dr. Crocker will be responsible for the development of medical management programs and products, as well as oversight of ASH clinical service operations. He will also manage peer committees, clinical technology assessment process, and medical protocols supporting Healthyroads, Inc., a subsidiary of ASH.
Dr. Crocker has had extensive health plan and medical management experience. He served as national medical director and senior vice president for WellPoint, the nation's largest full-service health plan, and he has had many years in private practice as a board-certified family practice physician. Dr. Crocker was previously chief of staff at River Oaks Hospital in Jackson, Miss.
In addition, he has served leadership roles for many industry organizations, including America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), and served on the boards of directors of the Utilization Review Accreditation Committee (URAC) and the American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations (AAPPO).
Dr. Crocker received his bachelor's degree from Mississippi College and his medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine.
American Specialty Health, Incorporated is the nation's leading specialty benefits organization for complementary health care, providing benefit, health education, wellness, and affinity discount programs to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, and trust funds. Based in San Diego, ASH has more than 500 employees and more than 12.4 million members in benefit programs and more than 80 million members in affinity discount programs nationwide.
ASH subsidiary Healthyroads offers wellness programs and other tools to help health plan and employer group members get in shape, eat healthier, and achieve positive lifestyle habits. Healthyroads also provides members with discounts on more than 2,400 health and wellness products that can be purchased online through Healthyroads.com(r).
ASH is located at 777 Front St., San Diego, Calif. 92101; phone 800.848.3555. For more information, visit ASHCompanies.com.
The American Specialty Health company logo is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2357