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Summerlin and its affiliate companies have been providing high qualityhealth insurance and managed care services in Nevada since 1992. However,recent changes in the health insurance market in Nevada have made itincreasingly difficult for a small, local carrier to be competitive. As such,Summerlin has made the strategic decision to exit the Nevada commercial PPObusiness. They are subsequently recommending Anthem to their current employergroups and members. Summerlin continues to offer PPO products in Hawaii andwill provide coverage for its existing accounts until the end of theemployer's contract and in accordance with Nevada Revised Statute 689C.320.
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"The agreement we entered into with Summerlin links two organizations thathave served the needs of Nevada residents for decades. We look forward topresenting Summerlin customers with comprehensive benefit options that willserve them well into the future," said Mike Murphy, president, Anthem BlueCross and Blue Shield. "Anthem offers a unique position of having nationalscale while at the same time maintaining a deep local presence in Nevada. Thatincludes providing excellent customer service and broad provider networks,delivering innovative products to our members and maintaining strong communityties."
Summerlin currently insures approximately 10,500 lives in its commercialPPO business in Nevada. It has endorsed Anthem as the insurer of choice forits members because of Anthem's leading portfolio of products; its superiorprovider network, which includes all major hospitals, except one, in thestate; access to nation-wide coverage under the Blue Card program; extensivecare and disease management initiatives; wellness programs; and, a 30-yeartrack record of providing benefits in Nevada.
"Summerlin has made the difficult strategic decision to leave thecommercial PPO business in Nevada," said Paul Carter, President and CEO,Summerlin Life and Health Insurance Company. "We remain dedicated to ensuringthat our customers continue to receive high-quality health care coverage andwill do all that we can to ensure that they have a smooth transition to theirnew health coverage with Anthem or another carrier. In considering ourendorsement decision, we sought an insurer with a strong local presence inNevada that could provide our customers with a variety of product offeringsand exceptional customer service, and Anthem clearly meets those criteria."
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Rocky MountainHospital and Medical Service, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue CrossBlue Shield Association. (R) ANTHEM is a registered trademark of AnthemInsurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols areregistered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additionalinformation about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is available atwww.anthem.com.
About Summerlin Life and Health
Summerlin Life and Health Insurance Company is part of The i/mx Companies(www.imxinc.com) which provide managed health care services, insuranceprograms and information management technology to over two million coveredlives through 750,000 contracted providers and 65,000 contracted pharmacies.The i/mx Companies offer a variety of health plans including HMO's, healthinsurance and excess loss insurance, PPO's, point of service plans,administrative services only plans and pharmacy benefit management plans, toemployers, health and welfare trust funds, associations, national PPOnetworks, government entities and individuals. In addition, through i/mxTechnologies, i/mx offers its proprietary information management system(s) andsoftware to insurance companies, managed health care organizations, governmententities, large self-funded employers and health and welfare trust funds.
SOURCE WellPoint, Inc.
