State of Arizona offers BCBSAZ network option to its employees and their families

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) is pleased to announce the State of Arizona is offering a BCBSAZ network option to approximately 65,000 state employees and their families during the upcoming health insurance open enrollment period.

The State of Arizona awarded a contract to AmeriBen, a full-service third party administrator, to administer medical benefits as part of its health coverage options. AmeriBen is working with BCBSAZ to offer State of Arizona employees and their families access to the BCBSAZ physician and hospital network.

“We have been building upon and strengthening the network of doctors and hospitals we offer to our members since our doors opened 70 years ago,” said Tom Dameron, vice president of sales for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. “As a local company, the relationships we’ve fostered within the health care provider community are an important part of the value we bring to State of Arizona employees.”

Employees will have access to one of Arizona’s largest provider networks available to State employees, including more than 17,000 physicians and other health care professionals, 112 urgent care centers and 70 hospitals in Arizona. In a 2008 Physician Satisfaction Study by Westgroup Research, 96 percent of the surveyed physicians were satisfied with BCBSAZ and 89 percent of physicians said they would be likely to recommend BCBSAZ to a patient.

“State of Arizona employees work hard every day to make Arizona a great place to live,” said Dameron. “We appreciate their hard work and support for our great state and now we can help to support them and their families with a large network of physicians and hospitals.”

Under the terms of the contract, BCBSAZ network access for Arizona-based employees and retirees will be administered by AmeriBen. The State of Arizona medical plan will be serviced by four awardees.