Q&A with Justin Loudon, Vice Chair of OAHP Board of Directors
As part of our ongoing effort to highlight the leaders shaping Ohio’s healthcare landscape, OAHP is pleased to share this conversation between our president and CEO, Kelly O’Reilly, and OAHP Board Vice Chair Justin Loudon, who also serves as president and CEO of Buckeye Health Plan. In this Q&A, Justin reflects on his role on the OAHP board, the initiatives at Buckeye he’s most excited about, and how riding his motorcycle keeps him grounded.
Kelly O’Reilly: Why is the Ohio Association of Health Plans important to you and why have you volunteered to help lead it as board vice chair?
Justin Loudon:
OAHP succeeds by finding common ground across plans, providers and policymakers. This takes working constructively, pragmatically and with credibility to ensure that Ohio’s policies reflect what works best for our members and stakeholders. This is where we, as health plans, try to tackle the tough questions so that we can bring creative solutions to the state of Ohio.
It’s clear that OAHP works effectively to reduce friction between policy intent and operational reality. Stepping into the vice chair role enables me to influence what OAHP prioritizes, how it shows up with policymakers, and how it creates alignment among plans. In this role, I can hopefully help shape the agenda with legislators and turn conversations into coordinated action, not just react or respond to policy proposals.
I hope my contributions will demonstrate to Ohio the value of managed care and the solutions-oriented leaders who are invested in the success of Ohio’s entire healthcare system.
Kelly O’Reilly: What is Buckeye doing right now that you’re excited about?
Justin Loudon:
The OAHP vice chair role is a strong fit for where Buckeye is right now. Our growth, quality and integrated‑care goals are heavily influenced by decisions made at the state level, especially around Medicaid and MyCare.
Here are a few of Buckeye’s business priorities:
- Helping advance our vision of Ohio’s MyCare program:
Buckeye is actively supporting Ohio’s move toward integrated care by strengthening coordination for dually eligible members. - Driving measurable quality improvement that raises the bar for all plans:
Buckeye’s focus on HEDIS, Stars and member experience reflects a broader commitment to outcomes-driven care and contributes to OAHP’s collective message that managed care is delivering real value in Ohio. - Investing in community‑based solutions that address social drivers of health:
Through partnerships focused on fresh food access, housing stability, maternal health and behavioral health, Buckeye is demonstrating how plan-led community investment can improve outcomes and lower avoidable costs across the system. - Innovating in care management and member engagement to simplify access:
Buckeye is advancing practical innovations in care navigation and engagement that improve the member experience, models that can be scaled and adapted across Ohio’s managed care plans. - Serving as a constructive, solutions‑oriented partner to the state:
Buckeye is committed to OAHP’s collaborative approach — working alongside ODM, providers and peer plans to shape policies that balance affordability, access and quality for Ohioans.
Kelly O’Reilly: What is something that readers would be surprised to learn about you?
Justin Loudon:
I love to ride motorcycles. I often ride my motorcycle to work because it clears my head and keeps me grounded. It forces focus, awareness and balance, things that matter just as much in leadership as they do life. What’s more, it’s a lot of fun. Healthcare is complex and high‑stakes, and I believe you show up better when you’re fully present. For me, that ride is a reminder to lead with intention, stay true to who I am, and never lose sight of the people and purpose behind the work.
