BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has chosen William Gracey to serve as president and chief operating officer of the Chattanooga-based insurance giant starting Oct. 18, the company said Wednesday.
Gracey will report to Vicky Gregg, BlueCross CEO, and will oversee the insurer’s government and commercial business units, Gregg said.
“Bill will bring added management strength to keep us successful as we navigate through the complex environment ahead as national health care reform is implemented,” Gregg said.
Gracey has spent 35 years in Tennessee’s health care industry, including four on the board for BlueCross. He was formerly executive vice president and chief operating officer for Lifepoint Hospitals, a 52-hospital system based in Nashville with roughly 23,000 employees.
He also served as president and CEO of the MidSouth division of the Hospital Corporation of America.
“I am confident Bill has the right background and the right leadership skills and experience to successfully lead our operations,” Gregg said.