Availity Announces Strategic Relationship With Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield i...( Collaboration to help advance afforda...),Health

Collaboration to help advance affordable care for Kentuckians

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Availity LLC, the industry's premier health information network, today announced a collaboration with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky to help improve health outcomes and reduce costs. Anthem will join the Availity Health Information Network, supporting the secure exchange of health care information between Kentucky physician practices, hospitals and health plans.

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Availity, which was created in 2001 as a joint venture between Humana Inc. and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., offers a secure, multi-payer, web-based solution at no cost to providers. The Availity services simplify administrative processes in the health care system and deliver a seamless, consistent user workflow - an important step toward advancing affordable patient care.

Beginning in early 2010, Kentucky providers will be able to submit eligibility and benefits inquiries, claim status inquiries and claims to Anthem, in addition to Availity's existing health plan partners, including Humana.

"Using Availity truly supports our mission at Baptist Healthcare," said Mary Ann Stewart-Herman, practice manager at Baptist Medical Associates (an affiliate of the Baptist Healthcare System). "One of our priorities is to provide effective and prompt medical care for our patients and Availity helps us do that. Access to Availity has definitely improved our efficiencies and we are thrilled to hear Anthem is going to be joining."

Availity's "one-stop-shop" approach benefits patients, providers and health plans by streamlining the health care
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