Anthem Blue Cross and Methodist Hospital of Southern California Reach Agreement

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. and ARCADIA, Calif., June 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthem Blue Cross and Methodist Hospital of Southern California are pleased to announce they have reached an agreement, effective June 15, 2011, giving Anthem members the ability to receive in-network health care services from Methodist Hospital.

"We are pleased to have Methodist Hospital be part of our extensive provider network in California. This new agreement represents very good news for our members who choose to receive health care services from these providers," said Pam Kehaly, president, Anthem Blue Cross. "Once again, members can receive covered services at Methodist Hospital and take advantage of their plans' in-network benefits."

"We are most pleased to have achieved this important agreement as we prepare to open our new patient tower this fall," said Dennis Lee, president and CEO, Methodist Hospital.  "We are very happy to welcome Anthem Blue Cross members, who now have access to all of Methodist Hospital's exceptional services."

About Anthem Blue Cross

Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California.  Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc.  The Blue Cross name and symbol are registered marks of the Blue Cross Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company is available at www.anthem.com/ca.

About Methodist Hospital

Founded in 1903, Methodist Hospital is a 460-bed, not-for-profit hospital serving Arcadia and surrounding communities. Services include comprehensive acute care such as medical, surgical, perinatal, pediatrics, oncology, intensive care (neonatal and adult) and complete cardiovascular services, including open-heart surgery. Methodist Hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's main standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. For more information, visit www.methodisthospital.org.

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross