Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Expands Network of Hospitals to Serve Hoosier Healthwi...( Expansion will provide greater acces...),Health

Expansion will provide greater access to members throughout the state and

in rural areas

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana announced the expansion of its Hoosier Healthwise network of hospitals to include Clarian Health Partners. Anthem provides health care benefits to more than 123,000 enrollees in the Hoosier Healthwise Medicaid Managed Care program.

Under this new agreement, members will have access to seven additional hospitals across the state, including: Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Hospital, Riley Hospital for Children, Clarian West Medical Center, Clarian North Medical Center, LaPorte Hospital and Bedford Regional Medical Center.

"We know that access to health care providers is critical for the members we serve" said Leslie Naamon, regional vice president for community and network management. "We are very pleased to have Clarian join our network of hospitals, as this will provide our members with greater access throughout the state, and more importantly, we will be able to provide our members in rural areas with access to needed hospital services."

"Clarian is pleased to participate in Anthem's Medicaid product. Our goal is always to provide the broadest access possible to all residents of Indiana by our participation in health plans," said Daniel F. Evans, Jr., president and CEO, Clarian Health.

Since being awarded the contract to provide health care benefits to members of the Hoosier Healthwise Medicaid Managed Care program in 2006, Anthem has been actively expanding their list of hospitals and physicians. In addition, in August 2007, Anthem opened four Community Resources Centers (CRCs) throughout the state. Located in Indianapolis, Evansville, Columbus and Merrillville, the CRCs are part of a unique community-based model designed and developed by Anthem's State Sponsored Business to deliver individualized health care coordina
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