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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Renews Relationship With HCA

Posted on: Wednesday, 25 October 2006, 12:01 CDT

South Florida -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida/Health Options, Inc. and HCA (the Hospital Corporation of America) East Florida Division have announced a long-term renewal of their contractual relationship for their HCA South Florida and Treasure Coast Hospitals, including HCA's network of Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Imaging Centers. This three-year agreement provides network stability and access to quality healthcare for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and Health Options Commercial and Medicare membership.

The following hospitals are included in the renewal:

-- Miami Dade County: -- Aventura Hospital and Medical Center in Aventura -- Cedars Medical Center in Miami -- Kendall Regional Medical Center in Miami -- Broward County: -- Northwest Medical Center in Margate -- Plantation General Hospital and Medical Center in Plantation -- University Hospital and Medical Center in Tamarac -- Westside Regional Medical Center in Plantation -- Palm Beach County: -- Columbia Hospital in West Palm Beach -- JFK Medical Center in Atlantis -- Palms West Hospital in Loxahatchee -- Okeechobee County: -- Raulerson Hospital in Okeechobee -- St. Lucie County: -- Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and Heart Institute in Fort Pierce -- St. Lucie Medical Center in Port St. Lucie

"We are gratified to have the HCA South Florida and Treasure Coast Hospitals in our provider network," said Barry Schwartz, M.D., vice president, network management, BCBSF. "This three-year agreement will continue to provide increased convenience, service and high quality care for our members in Miami/Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties."

"HCA is delighted to continue to serve the healthcare needs of Blue Cross and Health Option's members with our comprehensive list of quality inpatient and outpatient services, and our dedicated physicians and staff," said Stephen L. Royal, President, HCA East Florida Division. "Both HCA and Blue Cross have worked diligently to enhance our business relationship and have collaborated on numerous initiatives. We are glad to have become one of their respected business partners over these many years of serving our communities together."

About Blue Cross of Florida

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida is a leader in Florida's health industry and is committed to working for an excellent, efficient health system, providing innovative capabilities including MyBlueService, e-Medicine, Care Profile and CareCalc. BCBSF and its subsidiaries serve more than 8.6 million people. Since 1944, the company has been dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of all those it serves by offering an array of choices. BCBSF is a not-for-profit, policyholder-owned, tax-paying mutual company. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., BCBSF is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information concerning BCBSF, please see its Web site at www.bcbsfl.com.

About HCA- East Florida Division

HCA East Florida Division is a quality healthcare network comprised of 13 affiliated hospitals, 10 surgery centers, 8 diagnostic centers and one integrated regional lab in South Florida and the Treasure Coast. Together, the network employs over 12,500 individuals and has close to 6,000 physicians on staff. HCA is based in Nashville, Tenn., with a regional East Florida office in Fort Lauderdale. More information is available on www.flahospitals.com.

Source: Business Wire

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