Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and ValueOptions® Partner in Massachusetts for CMS Dual Eligible Demonstration Project Application

BOSTON and NORFOLK, Va., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ValueOptions® and its subsidiary Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership (MBHP) today announced a partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) to offer a program for Medicare –Medicaid beneficiaries. This program, the Blue Care Partnership, will submit an application for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) Capitated Financial Alignment Demonstration Model for Medicare-Medicaid Enrollees.

Today, BCBSMA serves over 2.1 million members in the Commonwealth, delivering a wide variety of products and services to clients and members while managing a network of over 21,000 primary care physicians, specialists and acute care hospitals. At the same time, MBHP, a ValueOptions company, provides comprehensive behavioral health services to more than 380,000 people enrolled in the MassHealth Primary Care Clinician (PCC) Plan as well as support services to the primary care clinicians treating these members.

If selected, the BCBSMA/ValueOptions partnership intends to serve people dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The planned three-year demonstration project would begin in 2013 and would test a new service delivery and payment model for dual eligibles. The demonstration will enroll citizens who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid in a managed care plan that will integrate benefits and allow for integration of care between both programs.

"Those eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid are arguably the most underserved population within today's healthcare system," states Heyward Donigan, ValueOptions President and CEO. "Looking forward, the integrated model of care is essential to understanding and treating the total healthcare needs of dual eligibles. For 75 years, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts has served its members with distinction. And over the past 15 years, ValueOptions and MBHP have built a national model for publicly-funded behavioral health management. Our organizations share a common commitment to the people we serve, and no two companies collectively are better suited to develop an integrated, quality-driven system of care for Commonwealth dual eligibles."

"Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and ValueOptions understand the importance of innovation within the Commonwealth's healthcare system, and we both place an organizational premium on ensuring superior clinical care and support services for the people we serve," states Andrew Dreyfus, BCBSMA President and CEO. "Integrating all forms of care – medical, behavioral, dental, vision, personal care - will be a vital part of serving members in this program. With the combined experience, expertise and commitment of these two organizations, we have a partnership that will work to make sure that members get all the care and services they need."

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (www.bluecrossma.com) is a community-focused, tax-paying, not-for-profit health plan headquartered in Boston. Celebrating our 75th anniversary in 2012, we are committed to working with others in a spirit of shared responsibility to make quality health care affordable. Consistent with our corporate promise to always put our members first, we are rated among the nation's best health plans for member satisfaction and quality.

About ValueOptions

ValueOptions® is a health improvement company that serves more than 32 million individuals. On behalf of employers, health plans and government agencies, we manage innovative programs and solutions that directly address the challenges our health care system faces today. A national leader in the fields of mental and emotional wellbeing, recovery and resilience, employee assistance, and wellness, ValueOptions helps people make the difficult life changes needed to be healthier and more productive. With offices nationwide and a network of more than 127,000 provider locations, ValueOptions helps people take important steps in the right direction. We help them live their lives to the fullest potential. Visit www.valueoptions.com for more information.

SOURCE ValueOptions