Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and Nemours Reach Contract Agreement

Jacksonville, Florida
Thursday, February 08, 2007 @ 01:38 PM EST
by: Odette Struys
(904) 697-4186
ostruys@nemours.org

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) and Nemours, one of the nation’s largest children’s health systems with Florida locations in Jacksonville, Orlando and Pensacola, today announced a 3-year contract agreement that will allow the two organizations to continue to meet the health care needs of BCBSF members in the communities they serve. The agreement is retroactive to January 1, 2007.

The agreement includes BlueChoice (PPO), BlueCare (HMO), BlueOptions (NetworkBlue) and traditional indemnity (PHS) plans.

“We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Nemours that will benefit BCBSF members and their children,” said Dr. Barry Schwartz, vice president, network management. “This was a very difficult situation, and we regret any problems or concerns this may have created for our members. Our focus throughout this process has been on coming to an agreement that will provide our members with access to affordable health care choices.”

“It has been important for Nemours to create a relationship with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida that allows us to sustain and improve the quality of services we provide to the communities we serve. As Nemours has demonstrated, even during this period of difficulty, we remain committed to serving our families today, and the families we will serve in the future,” said R. Jay Cummings, MD, Vice President of Physician Practices for Nemours Florida. “We are excited to have a continuing relationship with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida.”

modified: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 08:02 AM EDT
created: Monday, August 06, 2007 @ 01:38 PM EDT

About Nemours

Nemours, one of the nation’s largest pediatric health systems, is dedicated to achieving higher standards in children’s health. Nemours offers an integrated spectrum of clinical treatment coupled with research, advocacy, and educational health and prevention services extending to all families in the communities it serves. Starting with Alfred I. duPont’s bequest over seventy years ago, Nemours has grown into a multi-dimensional organization offering personalized clinical and preventive care focused on children.

Nemours owns and operates the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware and major children’s specialty clinics in Delaware (Wilmington), Florida (Jacksonville, Orlando and Pensacola), Pennsylvania (Philadelphia and Bryn Mawr) and New Jersey (Atlantic City and Voorhees). Having recently received preliminary approval from the State of Florida, Nemours will establish a new full-service children’s hospital as part of an integrated pediatric health campus in Orlando. KidsHealth.org, the world’s most visited pediatric health care Web site for parents, kids and teens, is a project of Nemours.

Nemours employs over 4,400 individuals, including 430 pediatric physicians, specialists and surgeons who cared for approximately a quarter of a million children in 2007. The organization’s goal is to align with parents, physicians, community leaders, children’s advocates and elected officials to ensure optimal wellness for every child. Additional information about Nemours can be found at www.nemours.org.