AAPPO Unites with Third Party Administrators to Form New Healthcare Industry Association American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations (AAPPO) Joins Forces with the Newly Founded Third Party Administrators of America (TPAAA) to Expand State Public Policy Advocacy Efforts WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The leading PPO association advocating for payer and network stakeholders, the American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations (AAPPO), is uniting with a newly founded association, the Third Party Administrators Association of America (TPAAA). AAPPO and TPAAA will operate independently, but be governed by a new parent association, the American Association of Payers, Administrators and Networks (AAPAN), that will strengthen the collective voice of all three industry stakeholders. AAPAN's new President and CEO will be Karen Greenrose, who has served as AAPPO's President and CEO for the past 12 years. "The unification of payers, TPAs and networks will allow all three of these important stakeholders to address state public policy with a united voice that we are confident will enhance the individual influence of each," said Greenrose. Thomas S. Byrd, RHU, founder of Group Resources, a leading third party administrator, will serve as the Chairman of TPAAA. This unification provides a unique opportunity for TPAs nationwide to continue to grow and operate with an independent, single brand identity, while ensuring TPAs have the representation necessary to support their policy positions at the state level. In addition, this will fill the void that currently exists for TPAs today," said Byrd. TPAs are an essential part of tomorrow's healthcare landscape, and we have lacked representation at the state level for too long. I am honored to help bring it to the TPA community. AAPPO's Chairman Michael Taddeo, Vice President of National Network Development for Medical Mutual of Ohio added, "Most importantly, this unification will provide our collective members with a stronger advocacy voice within our industry, as well as in defense of it." About AAPPO and TPAAA: AAPPO - founded in 1983 - and TPAAA - newly founded in 2012 - are leading advocates for all state public policy impacting PPOs and TPAs. SOURCE American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations