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Tuesday, September 11, 2001
Blue Cross, Blue Shield are now HMO Blue Texas
Merging the various companies will simplify paperwork; move doesn't affect those on PPO plan
By Naomi Snyder
Caller-Times

   Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas announced Monday it has consolidated its three HMO companies and eight separate service territories under one umbrella - HMO Blue Texas.
   Three separate companies have merged into Southwest Texas HMOInc., although Blue Cross officials said the changes in large part will be seamless.
   "We're trying to simplify our lives in terms of our administration and our reporting requirements as well as simplify the lives of our members,'' said Darren Rodgers, a Blue Cross vice president and chief operating officer.
   Previously, three separate HMO companies existed after Blue Cross purchased Aetna-owned NylCare Co. in April of 2000. The three Blue Cross companies that ensued were Southwest Texas HMO, Texas Gulfcoast HMO and RioGrande HMO.But more important to patients will be the merging of the service territories, Rodgers said.
   Patients needing referrals to doctors outside their service area or members with dependent children off to school in another city will have an easier time getting doctors, Rodgers said.
   He said the change will simplify paperwork for both employees and patients.
   HMO patients in Nueces County belonged to South Texas HMO, and there are about 11,000 of them. They now will be part of HMO Blue Texas. Most Blue Cross patients in Nueces County, about 24,000 of them, belong to a separate PPO plan not affected by the changes.


Contact business writer Naomi Snyder at 886-4316 or snydern@caller.com

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