Paul S. Boulis, President of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Announces His Retirement

Chicago, IL — Paul S. Boulis, president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL), announced his retirement today, effective December 31, 2009. In his role as the head of Illinois' largest health insurance plan, Boulis has been responsible for all operations, including consumer and group sales and marketing, provider network contracting and management, provider relations, medical policy, medical and disease management, government relations and public affairs. During his tenure, BCBSIL grew to serve more than seven million members and 30,000 employer groups, and offer a network of more than 29,000 health care providers.
"Paul has been an effective leader, overseeing BCBSIL's growth and playing a key role in building our capabilities," said Martin G. Foster, executive vice president and president of Plan Operations for Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), which operates BCBSIL.
Boulis joined BCBSIL in 1984. Prior to serving as president, he served in BCBSIL's National Division for 17 years as both vice president and senior vice president, during which he helped grow the company's national and major accounts business to include more than 350 large employer, government and labor customers. Prior to joining BCBSIL, he worked at the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association for 11 years, during which he held management positions in the Medicare, utilization review, cost containment and marketing services departments.
Boulis is a member of the boards of Dental Networks of America, Dearborn National Insurance Company of New York and Health Insurance Services Corporation. He also served for several years on the board of Consortium Health Plans.
In addition, Boulis is a leader in the civic and arts communities. He currently serves on the boards of the Arts and Business Council of Chicago (four years as chair), Chicago's Harris Theater for Music and Dance at Millennium Park and the Griffith Leadership Center at the University of Michigan. In the past, he served as a member of the associate's board of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and on the board of the University of Michigan Program in Health Services Administration Alumni Association. In addition, he is a member of the Chicago Public Education Fund's Advisory Council and is an executive advisor to the Metropolitan Planning Council of Chicago.
Boulis earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and his master's degree in Hospital Administration from the University of Michigan. In addition, he completed a one year CEO perspective fellowship at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He also has served as a visiting lecturer at Colgate University, the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Rush University and the University of Michigan.
Boulis lives in Chicago with his wife Linda. His son Todd is a senior at Colgate University in New York where he plays varsity lacrosse.
With more than 7 million members, BCBSIL, a division of Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, is the largest health insurance company in Illinois. Started in 1936, BCBSIL is committed to promoting the health and wellness of its members and its communities through accessible, cost-effective, quality health care. BCBSIL is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
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For More Information Contact:
- Mary Ann Schultz, Senior Manager of Media Relations, (312) 653-6701, Maryann_Schultz@bcbsil.com
- Bridget Houlihan, (312) 653-4668, Bridget_Houlihan@bcbsil.com