Blue Cross in Mont., Idaho Buying Benefit Admin Company

April 12, 2012Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticleComments

Cross and Blue Shield of Montana along with Blue Cross of Idaho are buying an Idaho company that provides health products and employee-benefit administration services and merging it with a similar Montana company.

The insurance companies have acquired Peak 1 Administration of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and merged it with Blue Cross subsidiary Insurance Coordinators of Montana, which is based in Helena.

The Independent Record reported the company will operate under the name of Peak 1 Administration. Insurance Coordinators serves customers in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Washington and Oregon.

Officials declined to discuss the purchase price.

Peak 1 President Dan Crawford says the merger allows them to increase the services they offer and expand the area they serve.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetCategories: West NewsTopics: Blue Cross of Idaho, Blue Shield of Montana, Business Moves & Mergers, employee benefitsHave a hot lead? Email us at newsdesk

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Blue Cross Sues Over Running Nebraska Health Plan

April 6, 2012Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticleComments

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska has filed a lawsuit to block the state’s planned switch to a new health insurance company, alleging improper lobbying on United Healthcare’s behalf.

The Lincoln Journal Star reported that Blue Cross says the chairman of the Nebraska Republican Party violated state rules by lobbying on behalf of United Healthcare.

Nebraska officials have said switching health insurance companies will save taxpayers and state employees a combined $8 million annually, so the state plans to change to United Healthcare on July 1.

Blue Cross officials have argued the change actually will cost an additional $10 million per year because of limits in the United Healthcare network.

Blue Cross attorney Kermit Brashear said attorney Mark Fahleson, who is the state GOP chairman, lobbied on behalf of United Healthcare while bids on the contract were pending. Brashear said that violates state regulations because of Fahleson’s political position.

Fahleson did not immediately respond to a phone message left late on April 4.

A spokeswoman for the state Attorney General’s office declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield has administered Nebraska’s health insurance plan for nearly 30 years.

Nebraska self-insures, but hires an insurance company to administer its plans. The state of Nebraska and its employees spend about $184 million annually on coverage. The state pays 79 percent of premiums, and employees cover 21 percent.

The state plans cover approximately 30,000 state employees and dependents.

The health plan change does not apply to Nebraska State Troopers, or employees within the University of Nebraska or the Nebraska State College system, because those groups all have their own plans.

 

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetCategories: Midwest NewsTopics: blue cross, Health and Benefits, lawsuit, NebraskaHave a hot lead? Email us at newsdesk

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CEA and Red Cross Combine Forces to Raise Awareness

April 4, 2012Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticleComments

In what those involved say may bring about many more such pairings, the California Earthquake Authority and the American Red Cross have joined forces to try to boost preparedness and recovery when California’s next damaging earthquake strikes.

The two groups are pairing up on an auction they believe will help raise awareness of the need for earthquak preparedness, and insurance. And both groups say more such partnerships are likely in the future.

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