- Positioned company as a national leader in health care innovation
- Began North Carolina’s transition to value-based care
- Oversaw implementation of Affordable Care Act in North Carolina
DURHAM, NC – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross) President and CEO Brad Wilson announced today that he will retire from the company later this year. Wilson started working at Blue Cross in 1996 and has served as President and CEO since 2010, leading the company through a period of rapid change in the health care industry.
“It’s been a privilege to work for a company that has been helping North Carolinians live healthier for the past 84 years,” said Wilson. “Now is a good time to transition leadership to the next CEO – one who will lead Blue Cross through the next wave of health care reform just as I have been fortunate to do for the last seven years. I will work closely with the Board of Trustees to establish a timeline that ensures a smooth transition.”
"The Board of Trustees greatly appreciates Brad's 20-year career of service to Blue Cross and his leadership as President and CEO during this period of transformation in health care and health insurance. As a reflection of his leadership, Blue Cross is well positioned to continue to serve North Carolina and represent our state's interests in the rapidly-evolving health care industry," said Board of Trustees Chair Frank Holding, Jr. Holding said the Board will conduct a comprehensive search for the company’s next CEO, considering both internal and external candidates.
Under Wilson’s leadership, the company:
- Became a leader in health care innovation in North Carolina and the nation by bringing changes such as cost transparency tools and collaborations with doctors and hospitals.
- Began North Carolina’s transition to value-based care, launching innovations such as bundled payments for orthopedic procedures that improve outcomes and reduce cost, and adding quality of care incentives to every hospital contract in the state.
- Consolidated its Triangle-area employees into one modern campus in Durham, creating a stronger employee community and significantly reducing operating expenses.
- Opened a customer service center in Fayetteville to bring opportunity to the skilled military family workforce in the area.
- Expanded critical investments in programs that improve the health and well-being of North Carolina customers and communities.
- Partnered with Cambia Health Solutions to create Echo Health Ventures, a new health care investment company focused on investing in great companies and transforming health care for consumers.
Wilson became President and CEO in February 2010 as Congress passed the Affordable Care Act (ACA). He has served as an advocate for common sense reform measures, consulting with leaders from both political parties on ways to make health care more affordable for North Carolinians. Blue Cross stabilized its ACA business in 2016 and is the only company to offer ACA coverage in all 100 counties. His retirement enables the company to hire a new CEO in time to implement the next set of changes currently being debated in Washington.
Over the past seven years, the company has helped the state begin the transition to value based care, so that health care costs are more focused on the quality of care rather than quantity of tests. Blue Cross’ bundled payments for orthopedic procedures reduce costs by up to 30% and improve outcomes, and the company has collaborated with hospitals across North Carolina to include quality of care incentives in every hospital contract.
Since 2010, Blue Cross also has increased its focus on healthy living, launching Get Outside North Carolina, HIKE NC! and Nourishing North Carolina initiatives. As Chair of the separate and independent Blue Cross and Blue Cross Shield of North Carolina Foundation, Wilson has overseen more than $113 million in grants touching all 100 counties in North Carolina.
“I’m proud of the commitment our company, Foundation and Blue Cross employees demonstrate every day,” added Wilson. “From serving North Carolinians with care and compassion, to investing in healthy living and improving access to care, our company and Foundation work hard to fulfill their mission to improve the health and well-being of our customers and communities. I know that commitment will continue for years to come."
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina improves the health and well-being of our customers and communities by providing innovative health care products, services and information to more than 3.89 million members, including approximately 1 million served on behalf of other Blue Plans. Since 1933, we have worked to make North Carolina a better place to live through our support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. We have been recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute every year since 2012. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit BCBSNC online at bcbsnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
###