Title: Utilization Management Program Analyst
Company: Community Health Network of Connecticut Inc.
Location: Winsted, Connecticut, United States
Heather M. LaPointe, MSN, NI-BC, utilization management (UM) program analyst at Community Health Network of Connecticut Inc., has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Health Care Professionals for dedication, achievements, and leadership in data analysis and nursing.
For more than 25 years, Ms. LaPointe has developed her professional expertise in the nursing field, beginning as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) with Alternatives Inc. in 1998. She has also devoted time to teaching others as an LPN mentor with Community Residences Inc. Ms. LaPointe first joined Community Health Network of Connecticut Inc. in 2009 as an appeals and grievances team lead. From there, she was promoted to appeals and grievances operations specialist and health outcomes quality nurse.
After 12 years with Community Health Network of Connecticut Inc., Ms. LaPointe left the organization for several years. During this time, she contributed as a registered nurse (RN) and quality clinical educator with ProHealth Physicians and Optum Care, and a data integrity clinical analyst for Trinity Health and Saint Francis Hospital. Ms. LaPointe returned to Community Health Network of Connecticut Inc. in 2022 as a senior prior authorization nurse. Since 2023, she has served as a UM program analyst.
Ms. LaPointe’s responsibilities as a UM program analyst are focused on developing policies for insurance approval processes, helping to determine when surgeries and other treatment plans will be covered. She guides how the organization operates overall to help encourage better health outcomes for patients while also keeping costs down. Ms. LaPointe also maintains standards to ensure that her organization is in compliance with regulations. To accomplish all of her tasks, she collaborates across multiple departments within Community Health Network of Connecticut Inc. and with other health care providers.
To assist in her professional journey, Ms. LaPointe has set a foundation in her education, including two associate degrees: an associate degree in pre-nursing from W.F. Kaynor Technical High School in 2004 and an Associate of Science in registered nursing from Excelsior University in 2020. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a focus on nursing science from Western Governors University in 2022. Subsequently, Ms. LaPointe earned a Master of Science in nursing informatics from the same institution in 2024. She is licensed as a practical nurse and board-certified in nursing informatics.
In commemoration of her accomplishments, Ms. LaPointe has been honored with a number of accolades. While studying at Western Governors University, she was lauded for Exemplary Work in Anatomy and Physiology in 2021, Exemplary Work in Advanced Professional Roles and Values in 2022, and Exemplary Work in Data Modeling and Management Systems in 2023. Ms. LaPointe keeps updated on news and advancements in her field through membership in the American Nurses Association and the American Academy of Professional Coders. She attributes her success to having an open mind and embracing an eagerness to always learn more.
In addition to her primary vocation, Ms. LaPointe is also a loving wife. When not working, she enjoys reading, building with Lego bricks and taking care of her garden, which includes flowers and vegetables. As she continues to build on her knowledge and extensive experience with informatics, Ms. LaPointe hopes to play a key role in improving health care, especially for patients in the Medicaid system. While remaining in her current position at Community Health Network of Connecticut Inc., she also aspires to explore greater data analysis, with the goal of ensuring that policy decisions are supported by evidence and that high-quality health care is more accessible to everyone who needs it.
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