California's Valued Trust and Blue Shield of California Announce Partnership to Expand Health Coverage Network Choices for School Employees

SAN FRANCISCO and FRESNO, Calif., May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- California's Valued Trust (CVT) and Blue Shield of California today announced a partnership in which CVT will offer PPO health plans using the Blue Shield network of providers. These health plans will be made available to new school districts joining CVT starting July 1, 2011.

CVT, the largest self-funded public schools trust in California, serves more than 200 member school districts representing 136,000 members, including school district employees and retirees across the state. The partnership with Blue Shield will provide new CVT groups a new network of providers from a not-for-profit health plan that shares CVT's vision to enable access to quality, affordable health care for the education community. Blue Shield's PPO network is comprised of more than 66,000 physicians and 359 hospitals.

"The education community experiences ongoing pressures to stretch scarce dollars while delivering quality benefits for their employees. We strive to manage skyrocketing healthcare costs by providing the most affordable and highest quality healthcare plans, options, resources and programs that ultimately fit our members and districts the best," said Valerie Cornuelle, Executive Director of CVT.

"As a not-for-profit with deep roots in California, Blue Shield is committed to advancing the health of our communities with its collaborative approach and strong record of finding creative solutions for their clients and members," continued Cornuelle. "We look forward to working together on novel ways to expand the health coverage options for our members."

Jeff Hermosillo, vice president and general manager of Blue Shield's Labor, Public and Strategic Accounts, is excited about teaming with CVT on initiatives that optimize cost and quality in health care. "CVT has a well-deserved reputation in the education community for working tirelessly to improve the health of their individual members and keeping cost down," said Hermosillo. "We are proud that CVT recognizes our ability to reduce healthcare cost and enhance members' care as we have done for clients around the state.  We're thrilled to have the opportunity to leverage this experience for CVT."

About Blue Shield of California

Blue Shield of California, an independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health plan with 3.3 million members, 4,800 employees, and one of the largest provider networks in California. Founded in 1939 and headquartered in San Francisco, Blue Shield of California offers a wide range of commercial and government products throughout the state. The company has contributed more than $125 million over the past four years to the Blue Shield of California Foundation — which was named one of BusinessWeek's 20 most generous corporate foundations.  For additional information, visit  www.blueshieldca.com.

About California's Valued Trust

Established in 1984, California's Valued Trust (CVT) remains today as California's largest self-funded public schools trust, specializing in healthcare benefits for the education community.

The Trust board of directors is comprised of representatives from the California Teachers Association (CTA), California School Employees Association (CSEA), and management representatives. Headquartered in Fresno, Calif., CVT serves more than 200 districts and 136,000 members across the state by providing premier benefit products and innovative healthcare programs. For more information, visit www.cvtrust.org.

SOURCE Blue Shield of California