ATLANTA - Implantable Provider Group's (IPG) announced today that John S. Watts, Jr., former president and CEO of WellPoint Inc.'s Commercial and Consumer business, will lead IPG's board of directors as executive chairman. Atlanta-based IPG offers solutions to healthcare providers, insurers and manufacturers that help promote the most appropriate financial management and oversight of the purchase and reimbursement of implantable medical devices.

Watts has more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry and most recently served as president and CEO of WellPoint's Commercial and Consumer Business, a $50 billion business that included 14 for-profit Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. During his 12 years at WellPoint, the country's largest health insurer with more than 35 million members, Watts held numerous executive positions, including chief executive and president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia and president and CEO of the company's national accounts business.

"John's unique industry knowledge, strategic thinking and operating experience will be integral to helping IPG reach an entirely new level as an enterprise," said Jay Ethridge, chief executive officer of IPG. "As we continue to expand into new markets and increase the scale of our operations, John will play a vital role at IPG, resulting in even greater dividends and more tangible results for our healthcare partners."

Through a key partnership with Boston Scientific, IPG has grown its revenues by 1,500 percent since its founding in 2004 and was recently ranked as the sixth fastest-growing private healthcare company in the country and 138th fastest-growing private company overall by Inc. Magazine.

Watts was strategically chosen to lead IPG's board during a time of rapid growth and diversification for the company.

"IPG's device management solution, coupled with an unparalleled commitment to customer service, is unmatched in the industry," said Watts. "I will work to help IPG maximize its value proposition across the supply chain."

About IPG
Implantable Provider Group (IPG) works with commercial payors to manage all aspects of high-cost implantable medical devices. The company's Implantable Device ManagementSM solution simplifies the complex procurement, contracting and billing associated with these devices, thereby streamlining the process and normalizing costs for all parties, while also delivering many valuable ancillary capabilities. Implantable Device Management also offers benefits for health care providers and manufacturers. IPG focuses on large, fast-growth device intensive markets, such as cardiology, neurology and orthopedic implants. Inc. Magazine recently ranked IPG as the sixth-fastest growing healthcare company in the country and the 138th fastest-growing overall. For more information about IPG, visit www.ipgsurgical.com.

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