Aspire Health Announces Incoming CEO, Tyler W. Munson, MBA

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

August 24, 2022  — Aspire Health, a community-centered, not-for-profit organization supported by Montage Health and Salinas Valley Health, has announced the arrival of Tyler W. Munson, MBA as the incoming Chief Executive Officer.

Tyler W. Munson, who starts on September 6, last served as President of Care N’Care Insurance Company in Fort Worth, Texas, a provider-owned Medicare Advantage plan with more than 13,000 members and over $150 million in annual revenue. Munson earned a Bachelor of Science degree and MBA from Elon University. Munson is a progressive healthcare executive with deep experience in managed care, health plan leadership, global risk management, Medicare Advantage operations and healthcare economics. Munson succeeds Laura Zehm, who has led the development of Aspire Health and been its CEO since the inception of the organization. 

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Tyler W. Munson to serve as Aspire Health’s next Chief Executive Officer,” said Dr. Steven Packer, President/CEO, Montage Health, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula’s parent company. Munson was selected after a broad national search.  “Munson is a focused and dedicated leader with a proven track record of driving change and achieving results. We are thrilled to welcome Tyler to the Aspire team,” adds Dr. Packer.

“Thousands of people in Monterey County are benefiting from the exceptional medical care offered through our Aspire Medicare Advantage plans,” says Pete Delgado, President/CEO of Salinas Valley Health. “Tyler brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the market that will only strengthen the value, products and services we provide our community. We’re excited to welcome him to the Aspire family.”

Aspire Health Plan, the Medicare Advantage arm of Aspire Health, offers Monterey County's only individual Medicare Advantage health plans. The provider network consists of more than 700 healthcare providers, and includes all four Monterey County hospitals. Aspire Health Plan offers three plans, all including Part D prescription drug coverage, and 2022 benefits highlights include co-pays as low as $0; an over-the-counter allowance; preventive dental; a fitness benefit with access to local gyms, including the Montage Wellness Centers; optional dental and vision plans with enhanced benefits; and transportation to in-network appointments.

Aspire Health Plan has earned a four-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for its 2022 Medicare Advantage plan.

Aspire Health Plan’s customer service team earned five stars for member satisfaction based on measures from the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) survey. This rating helped contribute to the plan’s strong overall rating.  

Aspire Health’s population health division was created to improve the health and well-being in Monterey County. It offers programs and services that help people live their best lives. It collaborates with doctors and hospitals, health plans, patients, and community partners to promote wellness, improve care, and help lower healthcare costs for everyone. They also help communities in our county address major health issues, such as the diabetes epidemic, where its Diabetes Collaborative effort earned national recognition from the American Hospital Association with this year’s NOVA Award.