Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas pursues contract to provide health care services to 776,000 military personnel and families……

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas has mailed a letter of intent to physicians, facilities and other health care providers in Texas for a non-binding commitment to participate in a proposed TRICARE South Region network.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas has joined with other Blue Plans as proposed network services subcontractors for the TRICARE Managed Care Support contract. TRICARE is part of the U.S. Department of Defense's health care program. The contract would allow Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas to serve 776,000 active duty, retired and other uniformed service members, their families and survivors in Texas.

To be successful in these efforts, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas must demonstrate the ability to contract a high-quality, cost-effective network of TRICARE participating providers. Health care providers interested in participating in the TRICARE network should sign the letter of intent and fax it to (877) 726-4399.

The TRICARE request for proposal response will be submitted later this year. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas anticipates the contract to be awarded mid to late 2008, with transition under new contracts occurring in early 2009.

For more information regarding TRICARE or the letter of intent, please contact your local Professional Provider or Facility Provider Network office.

Posted 02/2008