Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare Announce Contract Extension through 2020

The new agreement reflects a commitment by both organizations to make health care more affordable while creating new opportunities to collaborate and develop innovative approaches to improving the overall quality of care for patients and their families. The agreement applies to all Blue Cross members with either commercial coverage (through employer health plans and the Allina BluePrint ACO plan available for individual coverage) or enrollment in Minnesota health care program (Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare). All 20 Gillette locations – including the St. Paul hospital, six Twin Cities clinics and 13 Greater Minnesota clinics – are included in the broader Blue Cross provider network.

"We appreciate Gillette's commitment and collaboration to address the cost pressures that the State of Minnesota is experiencing with the Medicaid program," said Garrett Black, senior vice president of health services for Blue Cross. "Both Blue Cross and Gillette were in alignment that long-term stability required flexibility on both sides. In the end, we were aligned on what was best for our members and their patients."   

"Blue Cross applauds Gillette's willingness to be part of the efforts taking place both locally and nationally to hold the line on health care costs," said Black. "Being able to renew our contract ahead of schedule gives our members and their patients the peace of mind that comes with uninterrupted care and access to world-class surgeons, physicians and other specialists."

"We always strive to provide the best possible care for our patients and the community," said James Haddican, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare vice president of finance. "We're pleased that we were able to come up with a multiple-year agreement with Blue Cross, so our patients can focus on their care and not have to worry about medical coverage."

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota's first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. A nonprofit, taxable organization, Blue Cross is the largest health plan based in Minnesota, covering 2.9 million members in Minnesota and nationally through its health plans or plans administered by its affiliated companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago. Go to bluecrossmn.com to learn more.

About Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare
Founded in 1897, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare was the first hospital in the nation for kids who have disabilities. Last year, nearly 25,000 families with children facing such complex medical conditions as cerebral palsy, epilepsy and traumatic brain injury, trusted Gillette to help their children thrive. Gillette tailors its care model specifically to the needs of its patient and family community so they can achieve their highest potential. Go to gillettechildrens.org to learn more.

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

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