Magellan Health Inc. has announced a significant leadership expansion that highlights its commitment to integrated care: Dr. Caroline Carney, currently Chief Medical Officer, has been named President of Behavioral Health for Magellan Healthcare, the healthcare services subsidiary of Magellan Health. This move signals an important evolution in Magellan Health Behavioral Health Leadership, aligning the company’s clinical mission with broader efforts to address the nation’s growing mental health needs.
Carney will continue her role as Chief Medical Officer for Magellan Health while taking on this new title, further positioning her at the forefront of the company’s behavioral health strategy. In her new role, she will focus on scaling integrated care models and advancing clinical innovation to serve patients more holistically.
A Clinician and Strategist Shaping the Future of Care
Dr. Carney is a dual board-certified internist and psychiatrist who also actively treats patients at a federally qualified health center. This real-world clinical experience informs her vision and approach, making her a unique asset within Magellan Health Behavioral Health Leadership. She joined the company in 2016 and took on the CMO role in 2020, where she has led the development of clinical programs and quality initiatives across the organization.
A graduate of the University of Iowa, where she also directed the med-psych residency program, Carney’s career includes previous roles as Chief Medical Officer for Tenet Health Plans. Her blend of administrative skill, clinical insight, and educational leadership gives her a strong foundation to navigate today’s behavioral health challenges.
The Right Leader at the Right Time
Magellan Health CEO Ken Fasola praised Dr. Carney’s appointment, saying:
“Caroline is a forward-thinking leader who has a true passion for advancing behavioral health and has become a recognized and distinguished industry strategist and leader across multiple specialties. I look forward to the visionary thinking that she brings to her newly expanded role.”
Carney responded with enthusiasm and purpose:
“I am so honored to have been chosen for this role at a time when high-touch and high-tech whole health solutions are such a critical societal need. I look forward to continuing to demonstrate our commitment and support to the communities and individuals whom we serve.”
Her appointment reinforces the company’s long-standing focus on Magellan Health Behavioral Health Leadership, which prioritizes whole-person care by integrating mental and physical health.
Integration in Motion: Centene and Magellan Align Forces
This announcement also comes on the heels of Centene Corporation’s $2.2 billion acquisition of Magellan Health earlier this year. The move marked a pivotal step in Centene’s plan to create a truly integrated health care model—one where behavioral and physical health services are seamlessly coordinated for improved outcomes.
In line with this vision, Centene named former Magellan COO Jim Murray as its new Chief Transformation Officer. Murray now leads Centene’s Value Creation Office and the Centene Advanced Behavioral Health division. These leadership appointments underscore the strategic emphasis on Magellan Health Behavioral Health Leadership as a core element of Centene’s future-facing healthcare model.
A Centene executive noted in January that the acquisition would “drive greater integration of behavioral and physical health,” validating the significance of Carney’s expanded role as a driver of that integration.
Magellan’s Role in a Changing Behavioral Health Landscape
As the U.S. faces a behavioral health crisis marked by increased demand, workforce shortages, and lingering pandemic-related trauma, organizations are being called to act swiftly and strategically. Magellan Health Behavioral Health Leadership under Dr. Carney aims to meet that challenge head-on through scalable innovation, evidence-based models, and community-driven care delivery.
Carney’s track record shows a clear focus on both high-acuity populations and the need for long-term sustainability in mental health care. From predictive analytics to digital health solutions and whole-person care coordination, Magellan is poised to redefine behavioral health delivery.
Moreover, her ongoing clinical work ensures that policies and programs remain anchored in patient-centered care—something that is often lost at the executive level. This patient-first ethos is key to the future of Magellan Health Behavioral Health Leadership, especially as payers, providers, and policymakers push for more value-based, equitable systems.
A Transformational Moment for the Industry
Dr. Carney’s elevation to President of Behavioral Health is more than a title change—it’s a statement of purpose. It signals that Magellan Health Behavioral Health Leadership will not only shape the company’s strategy but also serve as a model for the industry. With Centene’s backing, Magellan can deliver high-impact care that is both scalable and deeply personal.
As the behavioral health field continues to evolve, the integration of leadership, clinical innovation, and patient care is more vital than ever. Dr. Carney’s leadership reflects a growing recognition that effective behavioral health care must be led by clinicians who understand both the science and the system.
In the years ahead, Magellan Health Behavioral Health Leadership will likely play an outsized role in shaping national conversations around mental health, access, and equity. With Dr. Caroline Carney at the helm, the organization is well-positioned to meet the moment—and lead with compassion, strategy, and resolve.