Jim Parker is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of strategic, executive-level experience across the healthcare industry.

Until January 2021, Jim served as Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar’s Senior Advisor for Health Reform. In this role, Jim directed several initiatives to improve the US healthcare market. Most notable were initiatives introduced by the CMS Innovation Center to develop alternative payment models (e.g., the Direct Contracting Entity Initiative) and program changes implemented by the Center for Medicare to strengthen the Medicare Advantage program.

Other initiatives included planning and distributing the $175 billion CARES Act Provider Relief Fund; implementing the Executive Order on Improving Price and Quality Transparency; the Executive Order on Advancing Kidney Health; and the Executive Order on Improving Rural Health and Telehealth Access.

Before his government service, Jim held senior executive payer and provider leadership roles, most notably with Anthem and Indiana University Health. At IU Health, Jim concurrently developed a provider-sponsored health plan, IU Health Plans, and system-wide population health capabilities that introduced risk-sharing and payment for value arrangements to the system’s clinical staff.

While at Anthem, Jim held several senior-level Staff and P/L leadership positions. Jim and his teams introduced several clinical quality improvement and payment for value programs that improved clinical quality and lowered total medical expenses in these roles.

Jim obtained his undergraduate degree from Kenyon College and an MBA from The Ohio State University. He resides with his family in Indianapolis, IN.