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KURT: Hi, I am Kurt Shipley, president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico.
Indeed, 2013 was a year of change for BCBSNM, and the health insurance industry.
With the launch of the Affordable Care Act, the industry embarked
on the most sweeping change the industry has ever seen. We have worked diligently to implement
ACA throughout our business and provide our members and the people of
New Mexico many choices for their health care needs.
In February, BCBSNM learned that it was selected as
a carrier for the new Medicaid program for the state, Centennial Care. To ensure that
we met the needs of the state and our Centennial Care members, BCBSNM
embarked on a significant initiative implement the new program, and expand our workforce.
In November, BCBSNM announced that we entered into an agreement
to purchase the Lovelace Health Plan's Medicare and Commercial members.
BCBSNM anticipates welcoming more than 110,000 new members into the BCBSNM family.
We will be working hard to ensure a smooth transition and minimal disruption
to our new members. Through all the change, what hasn't changed
is BCBSNM's commitment to the communities and people we serve.
We are proud of the influence our company has on New Mexico.
By supporting innovative programs and organizations, BCBSNM
is impacting not only our members, but all New Mexicans.
The effect can be seen through our Healthy Kids, Healthy Family grant winners, like Abrazos
Family Support Services in Bernalillo, or El Centro Family Health in Espanola,
AVANCE in Las Cruces, or Futures for Children. As the President of BCBSNM,
I am inspired daily by our employees who work so hard assisting our members,
but also find time, and the passion to give back to our communities. Whether they are
collecting school supplies for needy elementary students, building a playground for a rural
community, donating items for the members of the armed forces, or collecting gifts for
senior citizens, the employees of BCBSNM give from their
hearts on an on-going basis. Our outreach teams traveled the state to be
a part of community health fairs, provide health screenings at events,
and be a part of programs that have such a positive
impact on the people and communities of New Mexico.
The BCBSNM Care Van works with health providers throughout New Mexico
to immunize children, provide flu shots, or do medical screenings for the uninsured.
If there is a need, BCBSNM looks for a way to address the challenge.
We are your family, your friends, and your neighbors.
We are proud to be a part of New Mexico. Our business may be changing,
but we are not changing our commitment to you, our members, or the people of New Mexico.
I invite you to take a few minutes, and read about our dedication to this state
and we are making an impact on the health and wellness of our fellow New Mexicans.
Thank you.
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