Biography - Cindy Ehnes

Cindy Ehnes
Director
Department of Managed Health Care

Cindy Ehnes is the Director of the California Department of Managed Health Care. Ms Ehnes, licensed to practice law in both Colorado and California has over 25 years of legal experience, primarily in the area of health insurance and regulatory law. 

Ms. Ehnes has published two books on the rights of people with disabilities. She brings a substantial patient rights and health care background to the California Department of Managed Health Care.

Cindy Ehnes currently serves on the Board of Directors for three organizations: the California Regional Health Information Organization, a statewide collaborative effort to build a secure statewide health data exchange system, the Integrated Healthcare Association, which focuses on developing pay-for-performance measures for provider groups, and the California Health Funders Strategy Project, a collaborative planning effort for community clinics and health information technology adoption.  She is also a member of the Governor's eHealth Action Forum, helping to design a road map for the state and provide leadership for any future legislative or regulatory activities.

Prior to becoming Director of the California Department of Managed Health Care, Ms. Ehnes served as the Department's Deputy Director for Plan and Provider Relations, as a liaison to HMOs, doctors, hospitals and other providers.  Her prior California state service has included serving as division manager of the self-funded health plans unit at the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as the interim executive officer at the California Board of Optometry in the Department of Consumer Affairs.

In Colorado, she served for nine years as consumer representative and chairman of Colorado's insurance plan for uninsured, high-risk individuals.  As the enforcement director for the consumer affairs section at the Colorado Division of Insurance, she oversaw passage of several patients' rights initiatives, including new rules for patients with chronic conditions and for newborns.  She also developed the quality assurance audit procedures for HMOs, and served as legislative affairs director for the Colorado Commission on Family Medicine. 

Ms. Ehnes graduated from both George Washington University and the Catholic University Law School. She was admitted to the California bar in 2005. 

As a member of the US Disabled Ski Team 1974-1980, she won seven gold medals in international skiing competitions.  Still an avid skier, she serves on the Board of Disabled Sports USA-Far West, encouraging others with disabilities to engage in sport activities to gain self-confidence, mobility and greater independence.