Tenet and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Sign Multi-Year Agreement

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Tenet Healthcare Corporation THC and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) have extended their agreement providing BCBSTX members access to in-network care at all of Tenet's hospitals and outpatient centers in Texas.

The agreement also completes the first step toward implementing the previously announced statewide accountable care organization (ACO), which is expected to launch January 1, 2015. The ACO is a collaboration between BCBSTX and Tenet's clinically integrated organizations in Texas with the goal of improving the long-term health and wellbeing of BCBSTX members. Tenet currently has 12 ACOs nationally, covering more than 330,000 lives in nine states.

“We are pleased the new agreement continues in-network access for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas members to our high-quality providers across the state,” said Clint Hailey, chief managed care officer for Tenet Healthcare. “The ACO partnership is an example of how we are working with major insurers to offer more healthcare options for their members.”

“This agreement solidifies our commitment to offer our members broad access to providers that deliver high-quality, value-based care,” said Jack Towsley, divisional senior vice president, Texas Health Care Delivery, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. “Tenet has been a great partner for many years, and we look forward to extending our relationship through our managed care agreement and the new accountable care organization.”

About Tenet

Tenet Healthcare Corporation, a leading healthcare services company, through its subsidiaries operates 78 hospitals, 189 outpatient centers and Conifer Health Solutions, a leader in business process solutions for healthcare providers serving more than 700 hospital and other clients nationwide. Tenet's hospitals and related healthcare facilities are committed to providing high quality care to patients in the communities they serve. For more information, please visit www.tenethealth.com.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) – the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas – is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 80,000 physicians and 500 hospitals to serve five million members in all 254 counties. BCBSTX is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma and New Mexico), the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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