Paul von Ebers holds an MBA in finance and hospital administration from the University of Chicago. He’s done extensive work with entities of the Blue Cross Blue Shield organization both in senior management positions and as a private consultant. He has also worked extensively with health systems, academic medical centers, physician groups, health IT companies and health care entrepreneurs.

Paul is motivated by wanting to make a difference by helping create an affordable, high quality health care system. “I went into this industry because helping people with their health care needs seemed more important than anything else I could do,” he says. He has a reputation for building effective teams and creating collaborative relationships with employees, members and insurance regulators.

Noridian Mutual Insurance Company

Fargo, ND

From 2009 to May 2014, von Ebers was President and CEO of Noridian Mutual Insurance Company (dba BlueCross and BlueShield of North Dakota). Noridian Mutual has annual revenues of $1.7 B and 500,000 members. During his tenure, BCBSND had a track record of growth. BCBSND was profitable, despite a very difficult regulatory environment. A hallmark of von Ebers’ tenure with BCBSND was collaborative arrangements with hospitals and physicians to assure that patients with chronic disease receive the care they need in a timely way. Innovative quality incentives and risk sharing resulted in declining rates of health inflation. BCBSND delivered low prices, efficient administration and high customer service quality.

Von Ebers also led the growth of two important subsidiaries, Noridian Healthcare Solutions and Discovery Benefits. Noridian Healthcare Solutions (NHS) is a leading provider of administrative services to the Medicare program. From 2009 to 2014, NHS doubled the size of its profitable Medicare business. Discovery Benefits provides COBRA, HSA, HRA and private exchange billing services. During this period, Discovery grew over 10 percent per year and maintained a strong profitable bottom line. Non-health insurance revenue doubled from $100 M to over $200 M during his tenure.

Excellus Health Plan, Inc.

Rochester, NY

From 2005 to 2009 von Ebers held senior management positions with Excellus Health Blue Cross Blue Shield and Univera health plans, first as senior vice president of Marketing and then as executive vice president and chief operating officer. There he was responsible for a $5 billion health plan with 1.9 million members.
His leadership led to increased operating efficiencies, effective medical management strategies and a positive cultural change program.

von Ebers & Associates

Des Moines, IA

In 1995 von Ebers founded a health care strategic planning and consulting firm which he ran for 9 years. While in that practice, he consulted with many Blue Cross Blue Shield plans and provided services to other health plans, health care providers and health IT companies.

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Des Moines, IA

From 1984-1995, von Ebers held three senior vice president positions at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa in Health Information Technology, Health Care Management and External Affairs. His legacy there includes the development of an all payer claims clearinghouse, the most successful product launch in the company’s history and implementation of the first URAC accredited utilization review program in the U.S.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

Chicago, IL

Von Ebers worked in Business Strategy Services at the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association in Chicago from 1979-1984, first as a senior management consultant and later as executive director. There he built a successful consulting practice and directed the performance improvement program for plans with severe financial or service problems.

Masters in Business Administration, University of Chicago, 1979