BATON ROUGE, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In March of this year, Amerigroup Louisiana, a leading managed care provider to the Healthy Louisiana Medicaid program, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (Blue Cross), the state’s largest and oldest health insurance company, received approval to enter into a partnership to collaboratively serve the Healthy Louisiana Medicaid program. In support of this venture, Amerigroup is announcing that it will rebrand its Louisiana Medicaid plan to Healthy Blue to reflect the strength of its new partnership, and extend brand stability and recognition of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield name to its Medicaid members. This name change will take effect on Sept. 1, 2017, and welcome Amerigroup Louisiana Medicaid members into the family of more than 1.5 million Louisianans who are covered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. This collaborative effort is a demonstration of the two organizations’ shared commitment to enhance health care delivery for the hundreds of thousands of Louisianans who participate in the Healthy Louisiana Medicaid program.
“Blue Cross and Blue Shield has been serving Louisiana since 1934, and there are more Louisianans who identify themselves as Blue Cross and Blue Shield members than those who associate with other health insurance plans, so after combining the expertise of two best-in-class industry leaders, we moved quickly to arm our Medicaid members with the familiarity and strength carried by our state’s most recognizable brand,” said Aaron Lambert, Amerigroup Louisiana president.
Beginning the week of July 17, approximately 235,000 Amerigroup Louisiana members who participate in the state’s Medicaid, Medicaid Expansion and LaCHIP programs will begin receiving letters informing them of the change to their health plan’s name and should expect to receive new Healthy Blue member ID cards with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield logo before Sept. 1. This rebrand will not have any impact on Louisiana Blue Cross members or providers and is expected to be seamless for current Amerigroup Louisiana members.
Lambert added that “Amerigroup Louisiana members, partners and customers can be assured that we will continue to offer all existing benefits and services, while making strategic enhancements that continue to strengthen the value we provide to our Medicaid program members and stakeholders across the state.”
Members will continue to receive the same health care benefits and have access to their established primary care providers, specialists and care centers. Also, health care providers who serve Amerigroup Louisiana members will not be required to make changes, and will continue to use the same provider IDs, contacts and claims filing processes.
When the name change takes effect on Sept. 1, Amerigroup Louisiana’s member website will be redirected to a new Healthy Blue website, and members should begin using the new customer service phone numbers printed on their Healthy Blue ID cards. Current members who do not receive their new Healthy Blue ID cards by Sept. 1, or those who have questions can contact member services at 1-800-600-4441 (TTY: 711) or via email at MPSWeb@amerigroup.com.
ABOUT AMERIGROUP LOUISIANA
Amerigroup Louisiana is a managed health care provider that has been serving the state since 2012, and currently serves the state’s Medicaid, Medicaid Expansion and LaCHIP programs. Amerigroup Louisiana recognizes the challenges low-income and underserved individuals face, and tailors its programs such that health plan members are assured care that is not only accessible, but also accountable, comprehensive, integrated and patient-centered. Amerigroup Louisiana provides ongoing community relations and outreach to encourage members to become active participants in their healthcare. Also, through health education programs, members are empowered to choose and sustain healthy lifestyles. To learn more about Amerigroup, visit www.myamerigroup.com/LA.
