Newswise — DUARTE, Calif. — With open enrollment for the Covered California health exchange now underway, City of Hope has announced an agreement with Blue Shield of California to participate in the insurer’s Individual and Family Plan products. Combined with an existing agreement with Anthem Blue Cross, the new agreement ensures that a majority of the health exchange’s eligible participants will have access to City of Hope’s uniquely patient-focused cancer care.
The timing of the Blue Shield agreement, effective Nov. 1, will allow many individuals and small businesses purchasing health insurance on their own to make decisions ensuring the best possible care in the year ahead. The announcement showcases not only City of Hope’s mission to provide the highest-quality cancer care, but also its commitment to increase access to that care.
“City of Hope is known for its cancer expertise, unparalleled patient experience and superior outcomes, and we want more people to have the option of our care,” said Harlan Levine, M.D., chief executive of City of Hope’s Medical Foundation. “These agreements highlight City of Hope’s willingness to partner with insurers to provide Californians access to high quality yet affordable cancer care.”
Patients who are currently enrolled in a Blue Shield of California Individual and Family Plan through Covered California or directly through Blue Shield were eligible as of Nov. 1 to access City of Hope, or its doctors, as an in-network provider.
Future Covered California enrollees will be eligible for coverage, which includes access to City of Hope, as follows:
• Enrolling in a Blue Shield or Anthem Blue Cross plan between now and Dec. 15, 2015, for coverage beginning on Jan. 1, 2016.• Enrolling between Dec. 16, 2015 and Jan. 15, 2016, for coverage beginning on Feb. 1, 2016.• Enrolling between Jan. 16, 2016 and Jan. 31, 2016, for coverage beginning on March 1, 2016.
City of Hope also recently renewed agreements for commercial patients who purchase Blue Shield insurance directly through the insurer for five years. An Anthem Blue Cross agreement to provide services at the institution’s medical center to its commercial patients also was renewed.
For more information about City of Hope, visit www.cityofhope.org or follow City of Hope on facebook, twitter, youtube or flickr.
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