Martha Temple is an advisor for Cara Care. The former CEO of Optum Behavioral Health, a division of United HealthGroup, Martha has deep experience in the US insurance market running large businesses while helping new and innovative companies grow. Previously she was President of Aetna’s Global Benefits business and the New England market. She is currently on the board of PsychHub, focusing on education and training in the mental health, substance use, and suicide space. She is also an advisor to several companies and is part of HPIR (Health Plan Innovation Roundtable). She brings deep relationships within the US insurance market and throughout the US provider space.
1. What is your story? How did you become an expert in healthcare?
I came to work in healthcare early in my career. I was working at a large multi-line insurer while taking my actuarial exams and rotated jobs in several areas. When I got to the health insurance side of the company, I found I was passionate about how I could work in that area and help customers with their healthcare needs. I continued moving in to several areas, each one giving me a new perspective on the issues in the field.
2. Where do you see digital health offerings moving to in the next five years?
I think digital health is here to stay, and it will grow in importance significantly moving forward. There are so many applications where digital products can replace parts of the healthcare system that are safe and effective, and will help the health care system to work better for patients. The power of data and information at the fingertips of the clinicians will enable them to better diagnose and treat patients where they want to be treated.
3. What is something unique Cara Care offers?
Cara Care is looking holistically at patients to help them live their best life. They are creating an experience that will help a patient with chronic conditions to take care of themselves in such a way that they are not a point solution that looks at the illness, but they are looking at the whole person and ensuring the patient understands how to stay healthy and active. Often, clinicians are looking to manage the problem, but this is a personalized solution that helps enrich the lives of patients with chronic GI conditions.
