Episode #45
Connecting Communities to Care with Keith Mason
Episode Description What does a health plan really do beyond paying medical bills? For Keith Mason, healthcare is about helping people stay healthy, remain independent, and connect with the services and supports they need to live their best lives. As CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Idaho, Keith leads a team focused on improving health outcomes for some of Idaho's most vulnerable residents, including older adults and people with disabilities. In this episode of Independent Idaho , Jeremy sits down with Keith to discuss his journey from Indiana to Idaho, what drew him to a career centered on advocacy and community health, and how managed care is evolving to address the whole person—not just their medical needs. Together, they explore the importance of community partnerships, person-centered care, and why healthcare works best when it extends beyond the walls of a doctor's office. Along the way, Keith shares his perspective on the unique challenges facing Idaho's rural communities, the role of prevention in improving quality of life, and why investing in housing, transportation, and other social supports can have just as much impact on health as clinical care. Whether you're a person with a disability, a caregiver, a healthcare professional, or simply curious about how healthcare is changing, this conversation offers an inside look at how collaboration and innovation are helping build healthier, more connected communities across Idaho. Keith Mason is the Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Idaho, where he leads a team committed to connecting people and communities to care. The health plan serves Idahoans who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid through Idaho Medicaid Plus (IMPlus) and the Medicare Medicaid Coordinated Plan (MMCP). Keith has spent nearly a decade with UnitedHealthcare, serving in leadership roles focused on advocacy, strategy, and community engagement before becoming CEO of the Idaho market. Prior to UnitedHealthcare, he held leadership positions with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and Eli Lilly and Company, building partnerships that advanced public health and patient advocacy. Keith earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Wabash College and a Master of Science in Secondary Education from Indiana University Bloomington. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking and spending time with his family. Learn more about UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Idaho and the programs available to eligible Idahoans through Idaho Medicaid Plus (IMPlus) and the Medicare Medicaid Coordinated Plan (MMCP). About Our Guest Keith Mason is the Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Idaho, where he leads a team committed to connecting people and communities to care. The health plan serves Idahoans who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid through Idaho Medicaid Plus (IMPlus) and the Medicare Medicaid Coordinated Plan (MMCP). Keith has spent nearly a decade with UnitedHealthcare, serving in leadership roles focused on advocacy, strategy, and community engagement before becoming CEO of the Idaho market. Prior to UnitedHealthcare, he held leadership positions with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and Eli Lilly and Company, building partnerships that advanced public health and patient advocacy. Keith earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Wabash College and a Master of Science in Secondary Education from Indiana University Bloomington. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking and spending time with his family. Learn more about UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Idaho and the programs available to eligible Idahoans through Idaho Medicaid Plus (IMPlus) and the Medicare Medicaid Coordinated Plan (MMCP).
