A Conversation with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina’s Chief Strategy Officer

Bright Spots in Healthcare

Sonny Goyal, Senior Vice President of Diversified Business Group and Chief Strategy Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), joins Eric to share some of Blue Cross NC’s successful initiatives to help members live their best lives. Sonny discussed Blue Cross NC’s approach to mitigating social determinants of health, explaining the insurer is utilizing test-and-learn models to build quantifiable evidence, scale up successful models and, eventually, expand those ideas through its benefit offerings across the state. Sonny and Eric touch on several topics, including Blue Cross NC’s recent food insecurity pilot program, value-based care, provider relationships and community health initiatives. After listening, you’ll have many bright spots to consider implementing in your organization!

Links to articles mentioned during the discussion:

https://www.bluecrossnc.com/blog/expert-takes/transforming-health-care/food-is-medicine

https://catalyst.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/CAT.22.0351

https://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com/news/blue-cross-nc-donates-500-000-to-the-forward-fund-established-to-support-transition-efforts-following-mill-closure

About Sonny

Sonny leads the diversified business group at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) while also serving as their chief strategy officer, He is responsible for thoughtfully guiding the company as it seeks to achieve sustainable long-term growth by enhancing its existing business and identifying opportunities to expand beyond via inorganic growth.

Among other responsibilities, Sonny is accountable for managing and maturing the company’s best-in-class business partnerships and assets, shaping Blue Cross NC’s short-term goals and long-term strategy, portfolio planning and prioritization, corporate development and utilizing strategic intelligence to improve the experience of key stakeholders across the state.

Before joining Blue Cross NC, Sonny served in leadership roles at several other leading companies in the healthcare, venture capital and finance sectors. Most recently, he was Executive Director for Corporate Strategy and Development for the Advisory Board Company in Washington, DC. Before that, Sonny led Mergers and Acquisitions for Highmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield; brokered acquisitions, divestitures and capital raises ranging from $250 million to $12 billion at Wells Fargo; and assisted in assessing venture capital investments for Garage Technology Ventures in Silicon Valley.

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