Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey announced Monday that it has been named the exclusive medical carrier for the state of New Jersey’s public employee health programs, the State Health Benefits Program and the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program.
After a competitive bidding process, Horizon was chosen to provide network, claims, navigation and advocacy services for active and retired public employees under age 65 who are covered by the SHBP and SEHBP.
Horizon said the new contract, which reflects many recommendations made by the State Health Benefits Quality and Value Task Force, is expected to provide the state with annual savings of $200 million.
“Horizon is truly honored to continue to earn the trust of the state and the leadership of the public employee unions who chose us to help protect the health of the people who teach our children, watch over our families and make New Jersey work,” Christopher M. Lepre, Horizon’s executive vice president commercial business, said in a prepared statement. “Those leaders deserve credit for raising the bar and demanding solutions that focus on improving health care quality, affordability, engagement and customer experience. Horizon has been a leader in developing patient-centered models, tools and partnerships that achieve these goals.
“Being chosen as the sole provider of services for the nearly 600,000 active public employees and retirees under 65 who are enrolled in the SHBP and SEHBP proves that our approach works and demonstrates why Horizon is the No. 1 health insurer in New Jersey.”
