BCBSBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota has fired its president and chief executive officer after the state’s dominate insurer recently reported nearly $80 million in financial losses.
 
     Paul von Ebers has been the Blues’ top executive since 2009. Von Ebers succeeded former CEO Mike Unhjem, who was fired amid criticism over a Caribbean retreat.
 
     The insurer says its 13-member board unanimously voted to fire von Ebers on Monday. The company says Chief Operating Officer Tim Huckle will serve as interim president and CEO.
 
     Board chair Ann McConn says in a statement that the board fired von Ebers “in order to ensure confidence in the future financial direction of our organization.”

Reported previously

Fargo (CSi) Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota reports red ink, with a $72.9 million loss on a troubled subsidiary and higher-than-expected medical claims.

The year-end figures for 2013 were in a financial report filed with the North Dakota Insurance Department.

Blue Cross Blue Shield’s capital and surplus as of the end of 2013 was $199 million, down from $271.9 million the year before.

The biggest share of the North Dakota Blues red ink was a $51 million loss associated with Noridian Healthcare Solutions, which sustained heavy losses from a contract to build the Maryland health care exchange.

A safe financial reserve level remains in the coffers.

BCBS officials say their customers’ health insurance premiums will not go up as a result.