For Immediate Release
Media contact: Christi Lanier-Robinson, 502-889-3167
Or
Amanda W. Nelson, 859-257-1754
UK HealthCare, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky
Renew Network Agreement
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 12, 2006) − UK HealthCare has reached a new contract, in principle, with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky. Through this agreement, physicians, facilities and other medical professionals affiliated with UK HealthCare will remain in Anthem’s provider networks.
Members who are enrolled in Anthem’s Blue Traditional, Blue Access (PPO), Blue Preferred (HMO and POS), Federal Employee HMO program and Medicare Select networks may continue to receive medical care at UK HealthCare facilities at the highest level of benefits.
“This is good news for Anthem customers throughout Kentucky who rely on UK HealthCare facilities to provide their medical care,” said Mike Lorch, Vice President of Health Care Management for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky. “UK HealthCare is a valued partner, and we’re pleased to have them in our network.”
Anthem products provide access to all hospitals in the state of Kentucky, as well as a nationwide, worldwide network.
"UK HealthCare's ultimate goal is to afford Kentuckians the peace of mind that no matter how sick they get, they can be assured that UK HealthCare will have the expertise needed for a healthy recovery," said Dr. Michael Karpf, UK Executive Vice President for Health Affairs. "Our renewed contract with Anthem means its customers will continue to receive high-quality, specialized care at UK HealthCare. We are pleased to have a partnership with Anthem that enables us to meet its customers' needs."
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Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky is a subsidiary of WellPoint, Inc.
(NYSE: WLP). WellPoint, Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as Blue Cross Blue Shield in 10 New York City metropolitan counties and as Blue Cross, Blue Shield or Blue Cross Blue Shield in selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), Wisconsin; and through HealthLink and UniCare. Additional information about WellPoint is available at www.wellpoint.com.
In striving to become a Top 20 public research institution, the University of Kentucky is a catalyst for a new Commonwealth – a Kentucky that is healthier, better educated, and positioned to compete in a global and changing economy. For more information about UK’s efforts to become a Top 20 university, please go to http://www.uky.edu/OPBPA/Top20.html.
The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
ÒRegistered marks Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.