10 Things You Didnt Know About WellCare CEO Kenneth Burdick

Kenneth A. Burdick is the Chief Executive Officer of WellCare Health Plans. He joined the company’s leadership team in January of 2015 in his current position. It’s a tough job but he’s doing well in leading the company forward in its mission to offer cost effective and quality health solutions for their members. Here are 10 things about him that you probably didn’t know.

1. His career spans 38 years

Burdick has been in the healthcare industry for 38 years. During this time he’s held a variety of executive leadership positions. In an ever changing industry that is bound by strict rules and regulations, he’s stayed on top of the current trends and practices and is highly desired by larger companies because of his expertise and knowledge of multiple phases of the industry.

2. He was with UnitedHealth Group

Burdick has held multiple positions with the UnitedHealth Group. He didn’t start out at the top with the company, but that’s where he ended up. He was with the company for 14 years. During that time he rose to positions of increasing responsibility. He was promoted to their senior vice president as well as becoming the CEO or United Healthcare and also as a CEO of the Secure Horizon retail Medicare Business, which was also a division of the company.

3. Ken began his career with Cigna Health

Prior to working for the United Health Group or WellCare, Burdick was with Cigna Health. This is where his long and illustrious career began. He served as an underwriter, occupying a variety of different positions and he even worked in their sales and marketing department in a variety of roles. In these jobs he learned a great deal about the industry and this helped to prepare him for higher level positions in the health care industry.

4. He’s active in community affairs

One thing that Ken has been careful to do throughout his career is to take the time to serve on nonprofit boards. He sat on the Minneapolis and Phoenix board of directors for the United Way. He is presently serving on the 2020 board as the chair elect for American’s Health Insurance Plans. This is a national trade association that represents the community of health insurers. He’s also on the board and is the chair for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America. This is an organization that provides youth mentoring in a one on one basis. It’s obvious that he cares about his community.

5. He holds a law degree

Ken attended Amherst College where he earned his bachelor’s degree n American Studies. He didn’t stop with his education there. After receiving his four year degree, he went on to attend the University of Connecticut School of law where he earned his law degree.

6. He’s well paid for his contributions

When we looked into the compensation that Ken receives for his work, we saw that his annual salary is just under $1.2 million. While this is a great paycheck, it isn’t remarkable for the position that he serves and his level of responsibility. This is just for starters though. We did a little more checking and with his bonuses and base pay his total cash compensation is just a few dollars under $7 million with other compensation that brings his annual compensation to $11,327,735.

7. He was honored for his service recently

Kenneth Burdick was awarded the “Excellence in Primary Care Award” which was bestowed upon him by the Primary Care Development Corporation. His work and tremendous contributions have not gone unnoticed. It’s a prestigious award in the industry that he currently service and nit was given to him in June of 2018. He was acknowledged as a leader who is helping to ensure that people have access to affordable and quality health care so they can lead healthier and better lives.

8. He worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Prior to working with WellCare, Burdick served as the CEO who led the teams at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. He’s in high demand among the larger health insurance companies throughout the nation. Before leading this company, he served as the CEO for Medicaid and Behavioral Health businesses through Coventry Health are of Bethesda Maryland.

9. His credentials are impressive

Ken worked hard when he was in college. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Amherst College. Upon graduating from the University of Connecticut School of Law he left the institution with his JD degree which is no small feat. He’s put in the time and effort to build a solid foundation for his career that would quickly take him into executive leadership positions.

10. He’s a family man

Ken is a family man. He’s married to his wife Betsy and the couple have three children. They make their home n Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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