Amerigroup Expands Health Plan Operations in Texas

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Feb. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Amerigroup Corporation's (NYSE: AGP) Texas subsidiary expanded its footprint into Tarrant County (Fort Worth) offering health care coverage to approximately 30,000 new members in the STAR+PLUS Program beginning February 1, 2011. This growth is a result of a competitive procurement solicited by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which selected Amerigroup's Texas health plan as one of two plans to help expand health care coverage to seniors and people with disabilities in the six county service area surrounding Fort Worth.

With the expansion, Amerigroup services reach more than 80,000 within the aged, blind and disabled community throughout the State. To continue providing the best quality of service, Amerigroup has added over 60 new employees to the Company, bringing their total workforce in the State to almost 450 full time associates.

An exciting aspect of the operations expansion is the launch of new technology that advances the efficiency and capability of Amerigroup's service coordinators. The Company designed and developed a mobile software application for the Apple® iPad® to actively assess and record health care needs in real time with members in their homes or other places of care.  By having access to the tools on site, administrative time is saved allowing better service and more time with the member.

"Amerigroup is a pioneer in introducing such a creative and user-friendly tool," said Aileen McCormick, Southwest Regional CEO for Amerigroup. "This takes our ability to work with members needing home and community based services to a whole new level, and now there is an 'app for that.' We are excited to launch this in conjunction with our Fort Worth implementation and look forward to implementing the iPad® solution for our other Texas STAR+PLUS markets in  Austin, Houston and San Antonio the latter part of this year."

"We know that Texas wants to continue to make its Medicaid program as effective and efficient as possible.  By ensuring quality coordinated care for more Texans and engaging innovative new platforms in the process,  Amerigroup continues to help Texas manage the health care needs of its citizens, while keeping it more affordable for taxpayers," said James G. Carlson,  Amerigroup chairman and chief executive officer.

About Amerigroup Corporation

Amerigroup, a Fortune 500 Company, coordinates services for individuals in publicly funded health care programs. Serving more than 1.9 million members in 11 states nationwide, Amerigroup accepts all eligible people regardless of age, sex, race or disability. The Company's product offerings do not utilize any individual underwriting nor deny coverage due to preexisting medical conditions. Amerigroup is dedicated to offering real solutions that improve health care access and quality for its members, while proactively working to reduce the overall cost of care to taxpayers. Click here for more information about Amerigroup Corporation.

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SOURCE Amerigroup Corporation