Medicaid Contract Awarded to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

Richardson, TX. — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) announced today that the company has been selected by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) for a tentative contract award to provide managed care services to the state’s Medicaid STAR and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

The effective date of the contract is March 1, 2012, contingent upon verification of BCBSTX’s capabilities. As provided in the proposal, Blue Cross will work with several contractors, including WellPoint’s State Sponsored Business Division for operational support, Magellan Health Services for Behavioral Health and Davis Vision for eyewear needs.

"We are pleased that BCBSTX has been selected to bring our strong provider network and cost effective managed care to individuals in our state who receive health care benefits through HHSC’s STAR and CHIP programs," said Darren Rodgers, president, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. "We have the capability and experience to assist this program in achieving its goal of providing coordinated care to STAR and CHIP enrollees, which is essential to help ensure they are accessing the right care."

Rodgers noted that state governments are typically able to achieve greater value and innovation for government programs through a collaboration in which states outsource to organizations with core competencies in health care management. BCBSTX also has a long history of successfully administering government business and providing excellent service to diverse populations through its broad network.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas — the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas — is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 40,000 physicians and 400 hospitals to serve 4.6 million members in all 254 counties. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (which operates Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Oklahoma and New Mexico), the country’s largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

For Additional Information:
Website: www.BCBSTX.com
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/BCBSTX
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bluecrossblueshieldoftexas