JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) and the AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies (AMFC) today announced an agreement to enter into a joint venture to bring best-in-class Medicaid managed care and services to Florida beginning in mid-2012.
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The joint venture, called Florida True Health, Inc., will be an equal partnership between BCBSF and AMFC. Both companies will share in the startup costs, financial risk and risk-based capital, among other business practices. Florida True Health will be responsible for Medicaid member enrollment, claims processing, provider network development, utilization management, quality management, customer service, community outreach, marketing, finance, actuarial and public affairs.
"This joint venture with AmeriHealth Mercy enables us to enter the Florida market with competitive capabilities from day one," said Steve Booma, executive vice president of strategy and diversified business. "AmeriHealth's exceptional operations and strong history in serving Medicaid members, combined with BCBSF's 67-year history serving the health care needs of all Floridians, creates a unique organization dedicated to serve the state's Medicaid population."
Michael A. Rashid, President and Chief Executive Officer of the AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies said, "It is a privilege to bring our proven care management expertise to Florida. Our medical management and outreach programs have improved the health of our members for nearly 30 years. We look forward to working with the providers, community partners, the state and our BCBSF partner to make a positive difference in the lives of Floridians in need."
Florida True Health will be headquartered in Florida, although the specific location of its offices has yet to be determined. Florida True Health will enter Medicaid as soon as state approvals are obtained.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) is a leader in Florida's health industry. Since 1944, the company has been dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of all those it serves by offering an array of choices. BCBSF is a not-for-profit, policyholder-owned, tax-paying mutual company. Headquartered in Jacksonville, FL, BCBSF is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information concerning BCBSF, please see its website at www.bcbsfl.com.
About AmeriHealth Mercy
The AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies is one of the nation's leaders in health care solutions for the underserved. AmeriHealth operates in 11 states and serves more than 4 million Medicaid, Medicare and SCHIP members through its Medicaid managed care products, pharmaceutical benefit management services, behavioral health services, and other administrative services. Headquartered in Philadelphia, AmeriHealth Mercy is a mission-driven company with more than 25 years of experience serving low-income and chronically ill populations. AmeriHealth Mercy's divisions include:
- Keystone Mercy Health Plan, a Medicaid managed care health plan servicing over 321,000 members in five southeastern Pennsylvania counties;
- AmeriHealth Mercy Health Plan, a Medicaid managed care health plan servicing 108,000 members in 15 Pennsylvania counties;
- Select Health, a Medicaid managed care health plan serving 214,000 members throughout the State of South Carolina;
- MDwise Hoosier Alliance, a Medicaid managed care health plan serving 133,000 members throughout the State of Indiana;
- PerformCare/CBHNP Behavioral Health Services, servicing almost 1.1 million members in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana, and South Carolina;
- Perform Rx, a pharmacy benefits manager servicing over 1.8 million members.
The AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies also provides other administrative services in New Jersey and Kentucky.
SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida