04/08/19: Andrea Willis, SVP & Chief Medical Officer, BCBS of TN

Tennessee is the third highest state for opioid prescribing.  People with new prescriptions are at risk for addiction and people with high-dose prescriptions are at increased risk for overdose.  Additionally, the majority of people using pain medication recreationally get the pills from family members or friends.   BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has implemented steps to be a part of a broad public health solution.  Our multi-faceted approach has included support for community interventions from our foundation, focused prior authorization requirements, and provider education efforts.

Before joining BCBS, Dr. Andrea Willis served the State of Tennessee as director of CoverKids, helped develop Tennessee’s federally approved State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and served as deputy commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Health.

Dr. Willis is a fellow with the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the Tennessee Medical Association. She earned a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health and a Doctor of Medicine from Georgetown University School of Medicine.