Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Releases New Mobile App

PHOENIX, Aug. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) has launched AZBlue, its first mobile app, designed to help members quickly access coverage details, urgent care centers and contact information. An increasing number of members are relying on mobile services to simplify their lives. This new app provides members a direct channel to their health plan details while offering information in a way they prefer.

BCBSAZ members with mobile Android™ devices and Apple^® devices will be able to access key information, including:

• My ID Card, which can be emailed from the app to anyone, including healthcare providers;
• My Coverage Summary, information about healthcare plan coverage (for both medical and dental insurance, where applicable) including plan type, covered dependents, and deductible levels;
• Urgent Care Locator, an in-network urgent care center locator based on current location and zip code radius; and
• Contact Us, information for directly contacting BCBSAZ, including customer service via email and smart phone and Nurse on Call.

"The new AZBlue app represents our commitment to serving our customers by providing them with the tools and services that enable easy access to information and improve their quality of life," said Elizabeth Messina, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for BCBSAZ. "It is important to us that our customers know we are listening to their feedback and acting on it.  Future app enhancements will be even more robust and include features that promote health and wellness."

According to a recent Nielsen survey, about 44 percent of Americans own smartphones, up from 28 percent about year ago. Insurance companies have begun embracing the mobile market as a way to keep in touch with their plan members 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This is one of many initiatives introduced by BCBSAZ to improve member communications and provide customers with readily accessible health insurance information.

The AZBlue app is available free of charge for download through Google Play (Android devices) and the App Store (Apple devices). Eligible devices include Apple mobile devices (iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPad, iPod Touch) and Android phones and tablets (OS version 1.5 and above).

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ), an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is the largest Arizona-based health insurance company. The not-for-profit company was founded in 1939 and provides health insurance products, services or networks to nearly 1.3 million individuals. With offices in Phoenix, Flagstaff, Tucson and the East Valley, the company employs more than 1,400 Arizonans. For information about BCBSAZ and its HealthyBlue program, an integrated program of tools, resources and services that can help Arizonans live a healthier lifestyle, visit azblue.com/HealthyBlue.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona