Early success of new strategic alliance with Amerigroup drives growth and need for expansion
BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York on Wednesday announced the company will expand its Medicaid managed care footprint into Niagara and Genesee counties.
Approved by the New York Department of Health, the region's largest health plan will begin offering Medicaid products to residents in these counties effective Feb. 1.
The expansion comes within one year of launching a new strategic alliance with Amerigroup Partnership Plan to help administer the company's Medicaid managed care programs. The alliance allowed BlueCross BlueShield to remain in Medicaid long term, and help mitigate persistent financial losses sustained in the program.
"Offering services and support in these counties was one of the early goals established in the implementation of our relationship with Amerigroup," said Stephen T. Swift, BlueCross BlueShield's executive vice president and chief financial officer. "After a smooth transition, the timing is right to continue our growth through this strategic alliance and offer high-quality, Medicaid offerings to Niagara and Genesee residents."
Since the alliance with Amerigroup began in November of 2016, BlueCross BlueShield's Medicaid and Child Health Plus membership has grown by approximately 33 percent.
"Amerigroup is pleased to join our partner, Blue Cross BlueShield of Western New York, as we prepare to expand into Niagara and Genesee counties in 2018, and broaden Medicaid coverage options for thousands of Western New Yorkers," said J.P. Holland, vice president, Medicaid partnerships. "One of our top priorities is to ensure access to high-quality health care services, and this expansion will help us achieve that goal while we continue to improve health outcomes across our state."
According to the latest publicly available data, there are approximately 8,500 residents of Genesee County and 37,000 residents of Niagara County enrolled in Medicaid managed care programs.
Medicaid is a government-funded health insurance program that provides coverage to low-income and certain aged and disabled individuals. Individuals seeking coverage for Medicaid should contact the New York State of Health Marketplace to determine their eligibility by visiting
www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or calling 855-355-5777.
BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York is a division of HealthNow New York Inc., an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association.
The Medicaid managed care programs are administered by Amerigroup Partnership Plan LLC, an independent company.
