BCBSTX Creates A New, Local, High-Level Position To Focus On The Houston And SE Texas Market

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Jul 23, 2013, 07:00 ET

HOUSTON, July 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) is increasing its investment in the Houston and Southeast Texas market. The state's largest health insurer announced today that it has created a new "President, Houston and Southeast Texas Region" position that will be filled by a leader, Preston Johnson, Jr.

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"We've always had a strong presence in Houston, but there are about to be hundreds of thousands of people there who will likely have health insurance for the first time next year," said Bert Marshall, BCBSTX Plan President. "About one out of every three persons in Houston doesn't have health insurance, and we're simply beefing up our resources on the ground so that we can help educate the whole community and offer them the best health care coverage we can provide. Preston Johnson, Jr. has proven himself as a leader in business, especially in the area of Human Resources where health insurance benefits are of utmost importance to employees. We are happy to have him on our BlueCross BlueShield team to enhance our outreach to the community, medical and health care community."

BCBSTX covers more than 1.1 million people in Houston, but starting next year nearly everyone will be required to have health insurance according to the federal Affordable Care Act. With the many new provisions that will be implemented as a result of the new healthcare law, it is inevitable that there will be a lot of questions. That's why Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas has launched the statewide Be Covered Texas educational campaign to help uninsured Texans understand how the Affordable Care Act impacts them. The company says its new regional president can relate to Houston as a neighbor, father, and one who understands the Greater Houston and Southeast Texas community.

"Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas has long had a very strong history and positive presence here in the Houston and Southeast Texas Region. I am extremely pleased to become a part of this organization and its increased focus underway to simplify the state of health care as it undergoes the most dramatic and significant change in our history," said Johnson. Johnson commented that he has had a long association with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas in his roles of leadership in human resources. He added, "This organization has always exemplified commitment to excellence, a customer first service attitude, emphasis on innovation while providing quality products and establishing strong relationships with the local community. It really does everything in its power to stand with its members in sickness and in health. The fact that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is a member-owned organization provides a strong alignment with the needs of its members."

BCBSTX says its Houston and Southeast Texas Region members seeking customer service should still call the phone number on the back of their Blue Card. However, the new regional president will be available to meet with organizations, local businesses, health care providers and lawmakers to help the community get the best health care coverage possible.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas -- the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas – is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 40,000 physicians and 400 hospitals to serve 4.8 million members in all 254 counties. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (which operates Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Oklahoma and New Mexico), the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
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