Why This Matters for Clients

For Health Plans
Dr. Horton understands the internal realities of medical policy development, compliance risk, and utilization oversight. His experience allows Salut to provide guidance that is operationally realistic, defensible, and aligned with regulatory expectations.

For Diagnostic Laboratories
Dr. Horton has evaluated diagnostic tests from the payer side. He understands exactly where evidence packages succeed — and where they fail — enabling laboratories to prepare for coverage review with precision and credibility.

Prior Leadership Experience

• Avalon Healthcare Solutions — VP, Senior Medical Director

• Atrium Health — Assistant Specialty Medical Director & Perinatal Executive Leader

• Chairman, Department of OB/GYN, Atrium Health Union

• Board Member, Wilkes Regional Medical Center

• Clinical Assistant Professor, UNC School of Medicine

Education

• MD, Mercer University School of Medicine

• MHA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Dr. Horton is a physician executive with over two decades of experience at the intersection of clinical medicine, payer policy, utilization management, and healthcare finance. He brings rare, first-hand insight into how health plans evaluate laboratory testing, genetic diagnostics, and emerging medical technologies — because he has led those decisions himself.

Before founding Salut Collaborative Advisors, Dr. Horton served as Vice President and Senior Medical Director at Avalon Healthcare Solutions, where he directed scientific affairs, laboratory technology evaluation, and genetic testing utilization management for U.S. health plans.

Payer-Side Leadership & Impact

• Led development, maintenance, and client acceptance of 130+ laboratory medicine and genetic testing policies

• Directed new technology evaluation services for LDTs and emerging diagnostics

• Served as clinical supervisor for genetic testing utilization management and appeals

• Ensured compliance with URAC, NCQA, and Medicare Part B & C requirements