BCBSTX Creates a New, Local, High-Level Position to Focus on the San Antonio Market
Richardson, TX — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) is increasing its investment in the San Antonio market. The state's largest health insurer announced today that it has created a new "President, San Antonio Region" position that will be filled by a leader of the area's medical community, Dr. Esteban López.
"We've always had a strong presence in San Antonio, but there are about to be hundreds of thousands of people there who will likely have health insurance for the first time next year," said Bert Marshall, BCBSTX Plan President. "We're simply beefing up our resources on the ground so that we can help educate the whole community and offer them the best health care coverage we can provide. Dr. López has a stellar reputation in the area and is best suited for the job."
BCBSTX covers more than 310,000 people in San Antonio, but starting next year nearly everyone will be required to have health insurance according to the federal Affordable Care Act. The company says its new regional president can relate to San Antonians as a neighbor, father, pediatrician, physician and someone who understands the unique needs of the Latino community — which makes up 63 percent of city.
"I've been committed to San Antonio for the last decade and I've seen a lot of health care changes come and go," said Dr. López. "We're in for some of the biggest changes we've ever seen and I think I can better serve our community by working with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. In my experience as a physician, I know that Blue Cross is the best and most innovative health insurer in our state."
Dr. López is a member of the Bexar County Medical Society, has worked with nearly every top hospital system in the area and has served as a clinical assistant professor at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.
"Dr. López will be a great addition to the Blue Cross team," said Dr. Barry Lachman with the Asthma Coalition of Texas. "He's done a lot of work with us and I can tell that he is committed to the idea of wellness and improving the health care system as a whole."
BCBSTX says its San Antonio members seeking customer service should still call the phone number on the back of their Blue Card. However, the new regional president will be available to meet with organizations, local businesses, health care providers and lawmakers to help ensure the community gets the best health care coverage possible.
