CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has promoted Ann Rakes to director of quality improvement and STARS programs for the Senior Products Division. In this role, Rakes will oversee day-to-day strategic planning for the BlueCross Medicare Advantage and Duel Special Needs Population (D-SNP) STARS quality improvement programs.
“Ann is an enthusiastic leader with the ability to improve processes and improve our members’ health experience,” said Dr. J.B. Sobel, vice president and chief medical officer for senior products at BlueCross. “Her expertise is a valuable asset as we work to improve quality health outcomes for our members.”
Rakes joined BlueCross in 2014, serving as the senior manager of quality improvement and STARS programs and the manager of provider quality. In these roles she was responsible for coordinating and executing quality management and provider performance improvement programs. She also oversaw the Medicare Advantage physician Quality Care Rewards program and education, member experience, data analytics and strategic planning for the quality programs.
Prior to working with BlueCross, Rakes was with PricewaterhouseCoopers for nine years, where she served as a health care advisory manager. She has also worked for other insurance companies and a variety of hospitals as a registered nurse.
Rakes earned a Masters of Jurisprudence in health care law from Loyola University in Chicago. She earned a Bachelor of Science in health arts from the College of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois, and is a registered nurse.