Vicky Gregg’s work developing and managing TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid managed care program, provided valuable experience that she now brings to Acadia Healthcare’s board of directors. Her involvement with the state’s Medicaid program began in 1996 when she helped build it from scratch for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.
BlueCross initially faced financial challenges with TennCare, but under Gregg’s leadership as the program’s head and later as CEO, enrollment grew and the program achieved financial stability. TennCare ultimately served as a model for managed Medicaid services nationwide and contributed to concepts later incorporated into the Affordable Care Act.
Managing Complex Healthcare Programs
Gregg conceded that TennCare faced considerable criticism during its early implementation, but she recognized the program’s potential to extend healthcare coverage to more Tennesseans. “There is rough sledding sometimes, but I saw when I initially worked in renal dialysis and later with TennCare that these programs can help improve and even save lives,” she noted.
Her experience managing government healthcare programs and navigating complex regulatory environments has proven valuable for board service at healthcare companies. Vicky Gregg’s tenure managing TennCare demonstrated her ability to balance financial sustainability with expanded access to care.
Policy and Operational Expertise
Before becoming CEO of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Gregg served as President and COO of Volunteer State Health Plan, the company’s Medicaid managed care organization. This operational experience with government programs informed her broader leadership at the parent company.
At Acadia Healthcare, Gregg’s understanding of managed care, government programs, and healthcare financing provides perspective on payer relationships and reimbursement strategies. Her background bridges clinical care delivery and healthcare benefits administration.
Since joining the behavioral health provider’s board in 2016, Vicky Gregg has contributed insights from her experience leading one of Tennessee’s most influential healthcare organizations through periods of significant industry transformation.