Citing differences over the future direction of Southern Cross, chairman Dr Hylton LeGrice today announced the resignation of chief executive Roger Bowie.
"The board and the chief executive have agreed that due to the differences in the way they see the future direction of Southern Cross, it is in the mutualinterests of both that the Chief Executive steps aside," Dr LeGrice said in a statement.
Mr Bowie's resignation is yet another blow to Southern Cross who in recent months has been having major problems meeting claims from customers and health providers.
The insurer has admitted being four to six weeks behind in processing up to 50,000 claims from members and healthcare providers.
A committee of board members - led by audit committee chairman Bryan Kensington - will now oversee the current crisis.
Southern Cross has about 800,000 members and is New Zealand's biggest health insurer.
