Magellan Health Elevates New Leader to Chief Medical Officer: What This Means for Your Healthcare

Magellan Health, based in Frisco, Texas, has named Dr. Steven E. Pratt as its new chief medical officer. This move is part of a larger trend of leadership changes and service expansion for the behavioral health firm in 2025.

Dr. Pratt, a board-certified psychiatrist, has been with Magellan since 2017. Before this new role, he served as senior medical director, overseeing various clinical services related to behavioral health and substance use disorder. He has a rich background, having also been the executive medical director for behavioral health at the Minnesota Department of Human Services and holding leadership roles at UnitedHealth Group.

In his statement, Dr. Pratt expressed his enthusiasm for his new responsibilities: “I am honored to take on this role to further Magellan’s mission and to promote meaningful mental and behavioral healthcare.”

Dr. Caroline Carney, who became CEO in July, praised Pratt for his mix of clinical expertise and leadership skills. She highlighted his extensive experience, saying it will significantly support the company’s aim to provide evidence-based solutions to those in need.

Magellan has been active this year in enhancing its services. In January, it appointed James Thornbrugh as president of Magellan Federal, focusing on military and federal workforce services. The company has also forged partnerships to expand its mental health offerings. For instance, a collaboration with Calm Health allows members to access digital mental health screenings and guided care. Moreover, a new partnership with Attend Behavior aims to assist caregivers of children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

In 2025, Magellan has established multiple 24-hour crisis lines to aid those affected by disasters like the wildfires in California and flooding in Texas and New Mexico.

The landscape of mental health care is rapidly evolving. For instance, a recent survey indicated that 80% of adults believe mental health is just as important as physical health. This growing recognition has led to a rising demand for comprehensive behavioral health services.

Magellan was acquired by Centene Corporation in 2022 for $2.2 billion. This acquisition allows Magellan to leverage Centene’s resources to expand its reach and improve its services in mental health and behavioral care.

As the importance of mental health continues to rise, organizations like Magellan are stepping up to meet these challenges head-on, ensuring that quality care is accessible to all.



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Caroline Carney,Frisco,Magellan Health,medical director,psychiatrist,Steven E. Pratt M.D,UnitedHealth Group