Affordable Health Benefits Await Millions Of Uninsured

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas joins community partners in statewide effort to help educate uninsured individuals about the Affordable Care Act

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

Oct 16, 2014, 10:00 ET

RICHARDSON, Texas, Oct. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) today launched a statewide education effort to help more than 6.2 million uninsured Texans find affordable health insurance options and begin to benefit from important medical services that meet their needs. Consumer education is essential to helping reduce the number of uninsured people, and with open enrollment for the federal health insurance marketplace beginning in just a few weeks, BCBSTX is reaching out to communities in every county to provide tools and resources to help educate the uninsured.

"There are more than 6.2 million consumers uninsured in Texas, and it is critical that those individuals begin planning now for open enrollment," said Bert Marshall, President of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. "For many of these people, health insurance could now be an affordable option, especially if they qualify for financial assistance. With health insurance, many people will be able to benefit from hundreds of health services they need for the first time. In addition to good health, when people have access to health care professionals and solutions that address their need, the entire economy benefits—with less time missed from work and school, which results in higher productivity."

Building upon last year's efforts prior to and during the inaugural Affordable Care Act open enrollment period, BCBSTX will continue to work with more than 160 community partners to conduct a number of outreach efforts to provide general educational information and assistance to those who are uninsured in Texas.

Last year during the Affordable Care Act open enrollment period, BCBSTX expanded access to care in every county, from large metro areas to more remote and underserved communities in Texas. As a result of these efforts, beginning in January through July 2014 customers received:

Well visits: 243,000
Biometric screenings: 104,000
Mammograms: 23,600
Babies delivered: 1,600

"This demonstrates how BCBSTX and our community partners have been able to assist people in getting the information they need to stay healthy, get healthier or manage a chronic condition. Our goal is to continue to improve this trend for currently uninsured individuals," stated Marshall.

The Be Covered Texas campaign and other community outreach programs help consumers understand the security and peace of mind that health insurance may provide them and their families. Details of how uninsured individuals can prepare for open enrollment are available at www.bcbstx.com or they may call 888-731-0317.

Our efforts also include:

Increased number of customer service representatives
Expanded customer service center hours; effective Nov. 1^st, call centers will be available from 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. 7 days a week, and call centers will be available 24/7 effective Dec. 1^st
Courtesy call back features to minimize hold times during heavy call volume times
Alliances such as outreach efforts with State Farm and selected regional and national retailers, grocers, and pharmacies
Mobile Assistance Centers to reach people where they live, work and play
Community Education Partnerships with the Be Covered Texas launched last year

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) – the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas – is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 80,000 physicians and 500 hospitals to serve 5 million members in all 254 counties. BCBSTX is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma and New Mexico), the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

BCBSTX.com | Twitter.com/BCBSTX | Facebook.com/BlueCrossBlueShieldOfTexas | YouTube.com/BCBSTX

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SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas