CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, the largest health insurer in the mid-Atlantic region, announced the appointment of a new chief executive officer on Tuesday.

Kurt Small, who served as president of Medicaid for Elevance Health, will step into the position May 4, according to a news release. CareFirst serves around 3.5 million members nationwide, with many in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Northern Virginia.

Small is replacing former CEO Brian Pieninck, who took over the role in 2018 and left CareFirst in September for a job in Florida. Before Elevance Health, Small worked at other health companies, including Virginia Premier Health Plan and Aetna.

“Together, with executive leaders and the passionate team of Difference Makers, we will build on CareFirst’s legacy and progress to make care simpler, more affordable and more equitable for the people and communities who depend on us to live full and healthy lives,” Small said in the release.

The board praised Small’s “expertise and commitment to better health,” saying his leadership will expand access to care.

In September, Gov. Wes Moore named CareFirst executive Lester Davis as his chief of staff.