Sue Rusch

About Sue Rusch

Operations Director | Self Funding Expert | Driving Operational Excellence, Budgeting, and Client Focused StrategyI deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, effectiveness, and financial performance for self funded health plans. With 30+ years in the self funding space, I combine deep industry expertise with hands on operational and financial leadership to design strategies that meet client expectations and adapt to marketplace dynamics.What I do• Strategy and Execution: Develop and refine self funded strategies tailored to client goals, regulatory and market conditions, and customized plan requirements.• Budgeting and Financial Oversight: Lead budgeting, forecasting, cost management, and financial analysis to ensure plans are sustainable and aligned with client objectives.• Operational Leadership: Manage a team of client account specialists responsible for day to day operations, service delivery, and client satisfaction.• Feasibility and Risk Assessment: Evaluate ideas and solutions for operational viability, budget impact, and implementation risk.• Cross Functional Alignment: Serve as the corporate lead for IHSFS direction, providing strategic guidance and fostering synergy across Independent Health and Nova to anticipate and address internal and external challenges.I translate complex client needs into scalable operational and financial plans that reduce friction, control costs, and improve service quality. My focus is on pragmatic solutions that balance innovation with fiscal discipline to protect client interests and support long term program health.Core Strengths• Self funded plan design and governance• Budgeting, forecasting, and cost management• Operational process improvement• Team leadership and development• Client relationship management• Strategic planning and cross organizational collaborationI partner with stakeholders to turn strategy into reliable, efficient, and financially sound operations that drive long term value.

Experience

1. Director, Independent Health Self-funded Services Operations

   Independent Health

   Aug 2017 — Present

   Responsible for oversight of the overall operations of the Independent Health Self-Funded Services (IHSFS) line of business. Develops and reviews the self-funded strategy based on client expectations, marketplace conditions, and competitive landscape. Serves as the corporate leader for developing IHSFS direction and strategic guidance for operational excellence. Additionally, leads a team of client account specialists. This team manages the operational needs of Independent Health’s clients. Works with all levels of the organization within both Independent Health and Nova to provide synergy and alignment, anticipates both internal and external challenges and drives functional improvement. Serves as a self-funded expert and liaison among functional areas within both Independent Health and Nova to assess feasibility of ideas and solutions.

Education

• SUNY Empire State College

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Business, Management & Economics

  2013 — 2015

• United Way of Buffalo & Erie County

  Board leadership Training

  2016 — 2016

Skills

• Department Budgeting
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Business Analysis
• Claim
• Healthcare
• Business Process Improvement
• Project Management
• Strategic Planning
• Employee Benefits
• Risk Management
• Team Building
• Management
• Business Architecture
• Visio
• Strategy
• Six Sigma
• Organization
• Hipaa
• Insurance
• Software Documentation
• Ms Project
• Vendor Management
• Process Improvement
• Crm
• Building Strong Business Relationships
• Leadership
• Health Insurance
• Managed Care