Health Podcast Library

Anthem's West Region Commercial President Beth Keyser | Making Healthcare Easier Before It Gets Expensive

Aug 18, 2026
43:21

Episode Description

"Healthcare becomes more affordable when we make the better choice the easy choice."

In this episode of Bright Spots in Healthcare, Eric Glazer sits down with Beth Keyser, President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield's West Region Commercial Health Benefits business, to explore why healthcare affordability isn't just about lowering prices, it's about helping people make better decisions earlier.

Throughout the conversation, Beth shares how Anthem is redesigning the member journey by combining data, navigation, provider collaboration, and whole-person care to guide members toward the right care at the right time and in the right setting.

Rather than focusing on healthcare after the bill arrives, Beth explains why the greatest opportunity to improve affordability happens long before treatment begins.

In this episode:
  • Why healthcare affordability starts before anyone receives a medical bill

  • Helping members choose the right site of care without sacrificing quality

  • Moving beyond price transparency to true care navigation

  • How Sydney Health and HealthOS are helping members and providers make better decisions together

  • Why whole-person care is also an affordability strategy

  • What the industry's strongest payer-provider partnerships are doing differently

  • Why healthcare leaders should focus less on protecting data, and more on using it

  • The opportunity healthcare may still be underestimating over the next five years

If you're leading a health plan, provider organization, employer health strategy, or healthcare company, this conversation offers practical ideas for improving affordability by making healthcare easier to navigate, not simply cheaper.

Resource: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and USA TODAY Network's in-house branded content studio launched a new five-part video series designed to help Americans better understand their health plan benefits, make informed care decisions and manage costs with greater confidence.

https://www.usatoday.com/interactives/sponsor-story/anthem-blue-cross-blue-shield/5-key-health-insurance-terms-made-simple/

About Beth Keyser:

Beth Keyser is a 30-year healthcare industry veteran with a passion for leading organizations that are on a mission to make people healthier.

Beth was named president of the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield West Region for the Commercial Health Benefits division in 2025, which includes Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio and Wisconsin. She is also responsible for Sales Enablement and Centralized Sales Support within the Commercial Health Benefits division. Previously, Beth served as president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Indiana from 2020 to 2025. The Anthem health plan in Indiana is the largest in the state with nearly 5,000 Indiana-based associates, serving more than four million members.

Before joining Anthem, Beth focused on improving doctor-patient relationships as the president of Create® health plans in New York City. Prior to her time at Create®, Beth held several leadership roles at Healthways where she was accountable for domestic and international revenue growth, customer experience, call center operations and establishing partnerships with health plans, employers, physician organizations and hospitals. Early in her career she helped stand up Gordian Health Solutions, a Nashville start-up, that was eventually sold to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee.

Beth currently serves on the Board of Directors of Women in Health Care Leadership at University of Alabama at Birmingham, which provides mentoring and training programs to develop tomorrow's leaders. She also serves on the board of directors of the Indiana Sports Corp, Neuraxis and the WellPoint Holding Corporation. Beth is also a proud member of the Red Cross Tiffany Circle.

Keyser is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and earned a master's degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Connect with Beth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-keyser-589a184/

About Bright Spots Ventures

Bright Spots Ventures helps healthcare leaders discover what's working—and how to scale it.

Through our podcast, executive councils, private events, and strategic advisory work, we bring together health plan, provider, and healthcare innovation leaders to exchange practical ideas that improve care, lower costs, and accelerate innovation.

Learn more: https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com

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