Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield announced Wednesday that Pam Stahl has been named president of the Georgia health plan.

She replaces Jeff Fusile, who is stepping down to spend more time with his family in Savannah.

Stahl joined the Georgia insurer’s parent company, Indianapolis-based Anthem Inc., last year as a vice president of sales operations and effectiveness.

Anthem Blue Cross has been mired in some high-profile disputes this year. The company, Georgia’s largest health insurer, is facing a protracted contract negotiation with Gainesville-based Northeast Georgia Health System.

Anthem recently agreed to let members of its Pathway insurance exchange plan visit WellStar Health System doctors at network rates through the end of the year.  That agreement came as the insurer faced a state insurance department hearing on the marketing and adequacy of its Pathway provider network. The hearing was canceled after the agreement was reached.

WellStar patients had said they signed up for the Pathway plan late last year not knowing the Anthem Pathway contract with the Marietta-based system would end in February.

And in recently released Georgia consumer complaint data for insurers in 2018, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield was among the companies with high levels of such patient-related problems.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Anthem team in Atlanta, and look forward to working in partnership with providers, employers, and other stakeholders in our communities to help simplify health care and deliver value to consumers,” Stahl said in a statement. “Our Georgia plan continues to be in a position to innovate and drive positive change in this dynamic industry, and I look forward to leading our team to deliver on the expectations of those we serve.”

Previously Stahl served as the chief commercial officer at Invivo Therapeutics, and held numerous leadership roles at UnitedHealthcare. She also worked in senior management for sales and marketing at Orphan Medical, American Telecare and at Astrazeneca.

“Pam is a respected leader who brings a wealth of health care experience to this role, which will serve us well as we continue our focus on improving the lives and communities we serve throughout Georgia,” Brian Shipp, president and senior vice president of Anthem’s East/Central Region Commercial Business, said in a statement. “We have a long, proud history of providing access to affordable health care across Georgia, and Pam’s in-depth knowledge of the industry will greatly benefit our consumers, customers and provider partners in the local market.”

GHN reported last week that Fusile was resigning from the insurer’s top Georgia post, which he had held since 2015.

“We are grateful Jeff Fusile agreed to remain at the helm of our Georgia commercial plan and continued to guide operations until we selected his successor,” Shipp said. “We thank him for his many contributions to Anthem and to the Georgia community over the last several years, and certainly wish Jeff well in his future endeavors.”