Cara Kelly, Vice President of Avalere, advises clients on the impact of health reform initiatives, with an emphasis on health insurance exchanges and insurance market reforms. She specializes in helping health plans, pharmacy benefit managers and other healthcare stakeholders position strategically in the post-Affordable Care Act market. Cara also has expertise in Medicare Parts C and D.

Prior to rejoining Avalere, where she worked until 2010, Cara was at HHS’ Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO). At CCIIO, she focused on Health Insurance Exchanges; specifically, she developed policy and operational requirements for qualified health plans and served as a technical expert for issuers, states and other stakeholders. She has particular knowledge about issues affecting health plans in State Partnership and Federally-facilitated Exchanges, including certification standards and processes, the essential health benefits package, and operational requirements.

Cara has an MHS in Health Policy from Johns Hopkins University and a BA from Yale University.