TrueCare names officers

A nonprofit that offers provider-sponsored health plans and is looking to start offering services this summer recently opened their doors in Ridgeland. 

TrueCare announced the appointment of three new executives to its leadership team.

Ashley Thompson will be the chief executive officer of TrueCare. She is joined by John Mitchell, who was named chief medical officer, and Chris Loftin, who was appointed chief financial officer of TrueCare in April.

“They will play a key role in transforming health care in Mississippi by aligning health insurance payers and providers to deliver high-quality care, improve member health outcomes and manage Medicaid costs effectively,” A statement from TrueCare says.

The organization opened its corporate office in Ridgeland this past March in the Woodlands Office Park off of County Line Road. It will soon begin operation with members on July 1. They began open enrollment this month.

TrueCare is actively recruiting to fill a wide variety of new jobs across the state, Jim Jackson, chairman, TrueCare, said. These positions will support various functions, including care management, provider relations and member services, ensuring the organization can effectively serve Medicaid beneficiaries. 

“By creating local employment opportunities, TrueCare is further investing in Mississippi communities while building a strong foundation for high-quality health care delivery,” Jackson said.

Jackson said the three executives mentioned above have the pedigree to make sure TrueCare delivers on their vision.

With an extensive background in health care policy, Medicaid managed care and government relations, Thompson brings 14 years of strategic vision and operational expertise to the organization. 

Thompson has worked as an advocacy director and lobbyist for the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics – Mississippi Chapter. She served as an attorney and lobbyist with Jones Walker LLP early in her career. She holds a Juris Doctor from Mississippi College School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Mississippi. 

Mitchell is a physician with more than 35 years of experience. Jackson said he is the immediate past president of the Mississippi State Medical Association and past director of the Office of the Mississippi Physician Workforce. 

His career began as a registered pharmacist in Oxford, followed by active military service. Mitchell later earned a medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, completed a family medicine residency at the UAB Family Medicine Residency in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and pursued a faculty development fellowship at Michigan State University. 

Loftin is described as a veteran health care executive with over 29 years of experience in both provider and payer segments of the industry, Loftin specializes in revenue cycle management, government and commercial claims adjudication, and health care financial operations. Loftin earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration from The University of Southern Mississippi. 

Loftin was the co-founder and served as the co-chair of the Mississippi Hospital Association (MHA) Revenue Cycle Roundtable, contributes to the MHA President’s Council, and served on the Mississippi Healthcare Financial Management Association Board of Directors.

“The appointment of these accomplished Mississippi leaders marks a significant step forward for TrueCare as we continue our mission to improve health care access and outcomes across the state," Jackson said. "Their collective expertise in medicine, policy and financial management will strengthen our ability to serve Mississippians with high-quality, patient-centered care.”

TrueCare is a nonprofit created by Mississippi investor hospitals and the State Hospital Association to offer a provider-led alternative to traditional managed care, Jackson said. 

“TrueCare emphasizes improving health outcomes and reducing costs by advocating preventive care,” Jackson said.

Formally known as Mississippi True, the organization was founded with the collective history and knowledge of the near 100-year-old Association. TrueCare was selected as one of Mississippi's three managed care contracts awarded in 2024. 

The primary difference as a managed care organization is to place health care back into the hands of the provider and the patient while working to build a better proactive and preventive mindset for healthier Mississippians, Jackson said. 

TrueCare is owned by nearly 60 Mississippi hospitals and health systems.

For more information visit TrueCare at https://www.mstruecare.com/ms/plans/ or follow them at @MSTrueCare on Twitter, or TrueCare on Facebook.