Tiano to run Health Net’s NE transition

Health Net Inc. named one of its senior officers, Linda Tiano, to oversee the transition of its Connecticut, New York and New Jersey licenses acquired last week for $510 million by UnitedHealthcare.

Tiano, 52, takes the newly created post of president, regional health plans, for Health Net of the Northeast.

She will be based in Health Net's Connecticut regional office in Shelton, and reports to Jim Woys, Health Net executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Last Friday, Health Net completed the sale of its Northeast licensed subsidiaries to UnitedHealthcare, which has operations in Hartford. UnitedHealthcare also obtained the rights to renew Health Net's membership in the three Northeast states.

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is reviewing the deal on antitrust grounds.

Tiano joined Los Angeles-based Health Net in 2007 as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary.

Previously, she was the senior vice present and general counsel for WellChoice Inc., the parent of Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New York.

After WellPoint Inc. acquired WellChoice in late 2005, Tiano was vice president and deputy general counsel for the east region and national accounts for WellPoint.

Tiano has a law degree from Boston University Law School and her bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati. She is a member of the New York bar.