Julie Johnston has over 17 years of experience in health care policy at the state and local level and the development, implementation and management of innovative publicly-financed health care programs serving vulnerable populations.  

Prior to joining HMA, Ms. Johnston held a variety of senior management positions with UnitedHealth Group leading health policy, business development and new program development and implementation efforts for its various business segments focused on government- sponsored Medicare Advantage and Medicaid programs. Her particular focus and areas of expertise was on new program development and the advancement of public policy and stakeholder consensus building to facilitate the adoption of managed Medicaid long term programs and innovative integrated health care delivery models serving Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and disabled individuals in several states.

Prior to working for UnitedHealth Group, Ms. Johnston was a member of the start-up leadership team responsible for the strategic design and implementation of Colorado Access, a safety-net owned health plan in Colorado serving Medicaid and SCHIP beneficiaries. In this former role, Ms. Johnston was responsible for the development and management of member and provider services, enrollment and eligibility, member education and care coordination functions of the health plan. Following start up, Ms. Johnston served as a member of the Senior Executive Management Team responsible for the oversight of Colorado Access’ marketing, communications, community relations and legislative affairs program. Prior to her managed care industry experience, Julie served as Project Director for the San Diego County Perinatal Care Network, a nationally recognized public-private partnership program providing case management and care coordinationservices for uninsured and low income pregnant women and families. She started her career as Coordinator for the Access for Infants and Mothers (AIM) Program developing a community-based marketing and outreach program to increase awareness of and enrollment in the State of California’s AIM Program for uninsured pregnant women not eligible for Medicaid. 

Ms. Johnston holds an undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego and a Masters degree in Public Health from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.