Verlon Johnson

Verlon Johnson has over two decades of experience working in the health care policy and administration arena. She has a 23-year track record in public service optimizing processes, developing measurement systems, and building infrastructures to maximize program outcomes. She is also a nationally recognized expert in Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP policy, operations and financing.

Prior to coming to CNSI, Verlon was an Associate Partner at IBM Watson Health where she provided strategic direction for innovation in Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance through financing, payment incentives, quality, and value-based care design consulting. IBM had the honor of providing support and assistance to the federal government as they strived to help their states and providers respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Working closely with leadership within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Verlon led her team in developing CMS’s recently released State Medicaid & CHIP Telehealth Toolkit.

Verlon held numerous leadership positions during her time in federal service including serving as the Associate Consortium Administrator for Medicaid & CHIP within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). In this role, she oversaw the regulatory and policy implementation of the Medicaid and CHIP programs in each of CMS’ ten Regional Offices covering all states and territories. Verlon also served as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Regional Director where she led regional efforts to combat the opioid epidemic, and as the Deputy Director for Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) where she focused on topics such as the Zika virus, the Flint water crisis, and other national issues impacting state Medicaid delivery systems.

Verlon earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University and a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis on Health Care Policy and Administration from Texas Tech University. She is also a Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management Executive Scholar and the recipient of many honors. Most recently, Verlon the received the IBM Exceptional Account Director for her team, an IBM Watson Health Lady Boss award during her inaugural year at IBM, and the JKF Federal Employee of the Year Award.