Latest news with #BlueShield
Associated Press
13 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Zocdoc Teams Up with Blue Shield of California to Simplify the Appointment Scheduling Experience for its Members
Company announces first-of-its-kind collaboration to power seamless in-network scheduling within a health plan's provider directory NEW YORK, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zocdoc today announced a new collaboration with Blue Shield of California, a nonprofit health plan, to help its members seamlessly schedule in-network, in-person and virtual care appointments through the plan's Find a doctor tool in the member portal. Blue Shield members can now see providers' real-time availability and easily access more than 1 million hours of bookable appointments available over a 90-day window. This marks the first time Zocdoc is working with a health plan to power scheduling for its online member portal. It builds on the company's expansion beyond its marketplace as it already powers scheduling on providers' websites, Google Business Profiles and practices' phone lines via its new AI phone assistant, Zo. Underlying this collaboration is nearly two decades of Zocdoc's expertise in facilitating patient-provider interactions, understanding complex healthcare scheduling logic, and integrating with a broad base of EHRs. No other company in healthcare has the depth of experience, infrastructure, and intellectual property when it comes to seamless online scheduling across a large, diverse, decentralized provider network. 'We know that patients rely on their health plans to find quality, in-network care, and we are proud to partner with Blue Shield of California to power a seamless experience that helps their members access the right providers for their needs,' said Oliver Kharraz, MD, Zocdoc founder and CEO. 'This collaboration—a first of its kind for Zocdoc—is symbolic of our expansion beyond our marketplace; we are leveraging nearly 20 years of scheduling expertise to help patients easily book appointments wherever they are seeking care, to help providers connect with patients across more channels, and to help payors modernize their members' access experience and care coordination.' The collaboration is a part of Blue Shield's effort to create high-quality, seamless experiences for members; it enables 24/7 appointment scheduling for members seeking care from Blue Shield's network of primary care, specialist, vision, dental, mental and behavioral health providers who are also in Zocdoc's bookable provider network. Across all types of care, outdated scheduling systems have become a barrier to healthcare access. According to a Zocdoc-commissioned survey conducted earlier this year, more than half of patients who were unable to reach their doctor by phone admitted to delaying care (54%), while one in three admitted to giving up on scheduling a visit entirely (33%). Digital tools can help address these barriers. 'As we continue to address healthcare access issues, making it easier and faster for our members to get connected to in-network care is absolutely essential,' said Jigar Shah, chief marketing and strategy officer at Blue Shield of California. 'To make healthcare worthy of our family and friends, we must deliver best-in-class member experiences, and Blue Shield is leveraging digital tools to do exactly that. We are proud to work with Zocdoc on an important part of our strategy to improve access to care.' Appointments are now available for members across all Blue Shield of California employer-sponsored plans, Individual and Family Plans, and Medicare plans. Blue Shield and Zocdoc will continue to add more in-network provider schedules for members to book quickly and seamlessly. Blue Shield's in-network providers who are interested in adding appointments to the system can visit this site for more information. There is no cost to providers to participate, and set-up is a simple, one-time activation. Zocdoc has built more than 175 calendar integrations with commonly used healthcare scheduling systems. About Zocdoc Zocdoc is the leading healthcare marketplace that aims to help every patient find and book every type of care. Each month, millions of patients visit or use the Zocdoc app to find quality, in-network doctors, see their real-time availability, and instantly book appointments for in-person or virtual care. Zocdoc doesn't just make healthcare easier, it also accelerates patients' access to care with the typical appointment happening within 24 to 72 hours of booking. While Zocdoc's mission is to give power to the patient, the company supports healthcare providers, too. Doctors across every state, specialty and segment — from solo practitioners to large hospitals and health systems — rely on Zocdoc to grow their practice, at every stage. With Zocdoc, they can reach new patients where they're seeking care, save staff time with tools that integrate into their practice software, and delight their patients through great experiences that keep them coming back. Overall, Zocdoc delivers the seamless, modern healthcare experience patients deserve. About Blue Shield of California Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. The health plan is a taxpaying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with 6 million members, over 7,500 employees and more than $27 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $60 million to the Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last three years to have an impact on California communities. For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit Or follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook. CONTACT: Zocdoc PR Team, 19293499190, [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Zocdoc, Inc.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Zocdoc Teams Up with Blue Shield of California to Simplify the Appointment Scheduling Experience for its Members
Company announces first-of-its-kind collaboration to power seamless in-network scheduling within a health plan's provider directory NEW YORK, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zocdoc today announced a new collaboration with Blue Shield of California, a nonprofit health plan, to help its members seamlessly schedule in-network, in-person and virtual care appointments through the plan's Find a doctor tool in the member portal. Blue Shield members can now see providers' real-time availability and easily access more than 1 million hours of bookable appointments available over a 90-day window. This marks the first time Zocdoc is working with a health plan to power scheduling for its online member portal. It builds on the company's expansion beyond its marketplace as it already powers scheduling on providers' websites, Google Business Profiles and practices' phone lines via its new AI phone assistant, Zo. Underlying this collaboration is nearly two decades of Zocdoc's expertise in facilitating patient-provider interactions, understanding complex healthcare scheduling logic, and integrating with a broad base of EHRs. No other company in healthcare has the depth of experience, infrastructure, and intellectual property when it comes to seamless online scheduling across a large, diverse, decentralized provider network. "We know that patients rely on their health plans to find quality, in-network care, and we are proud to partner with Blue Shield of California to power a seamless experience that helps their members access the right providers for their needs," said Oliver Kharraz, MD, Zocdoc founder and CEO. "This collaboration—a first of its kind for Zocdoc—is symbolic of our expansion beyond our marketplace; we are leveraging nearly 20 years of scheduling expertise to help patients easily book appointments wherever they are seeking care, to help providers connect with patients across more channels, and to help payors modernize their members' access experience and care coordination." The collaboration is a part of Blue Shield's effort to create high-quality, seamless experiences for members; it enables 24/7 appointment scheduling for members seeking care from Blue Shield's network of primary care, specialist, vision, dental, mental and behavioral health providers who are also in Zocdoc's bookable provider network. Across all types of care, outdated scheduling systems have become a barrier to healthcare access. According to a Zocdoc-commissioned survey conducted earlier this year, more than half of patients who were unable to reach their doctor by phone admitted to delaying care (54%), while one in three admitted to giving up on scheduling a visit entirely (33%). Digital tools can help address these barriers. "As we continue to address healthcare access issues, making it easier and faster for our members to get connected to in-network care is absolutely essential," said Jigar Shah, chief marketing and strategy officer at Blue Shield of California. "To make healthcare worthy of our family and friends, we must deliver best-in-class member experiences, and Blue Shield is leveraging digital tools to do exactly that. We are proud to work with Zocdoc on an important part of our strategy to improve access to care." Appointments are now available for members across all Blue Shield of California employer-sponsored plans, Individual and Family Plans, and Medicare plans. Blue Shield and Zocdoc will continue to add more in-network provider schedules for members to book quickly and seamlessly. Blue Shield's in-network providers who are interested in adding appointments to the system can visit this site for more information. There is no cost to providers to participate, and set-up is a simple, one-time activation. Zocdoc has built more than 175 calendar integrations with commonly used healthcare scheduling systems. About ZocdocZocdoc is the leading healthcare marketplace that aims to help every patient find and book every type of care. Each month, millions of patients visit or use the Zocdoc app to find quality, in-network doctors, see their real-time availability, and instantly book appointments for in-person or virtual care. Zocdoc doesn't just make healthcare easier, it also accelerates patients' access to care with the typical appointment happening within 24 to 72 hours of booking. While Zocdoc's mission is to give power to the patient, the company supports healthcare providers, too. Doctors across every state, specialty and segment — from solo practitioners to large hospitals and health systems — rely on Zocdoc to grow their practice, at every stage. With Zocdoc, they can reach new patients where they're seeking care, save staff time with tools that integrate into their practice software, and delight their patients through great experiences that keep them coming back. Overall, Zocdoc delivers the seamless, modern healthcare experience patients deserve. About Blue Shield of CaliforniaBlue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. The health plan is a taxpaying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with 6 million members, over 7,500 employees and more than $27 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $60 million to the Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last three years to have an impact on California communities. For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit Or follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook. CONTACT: Zocdoc PR Team, 19293499190, zocdoc@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Zocdoc, Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Anthem signs provider network agreement with Children's Healthcare
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has entered a provider network agreement with US-based paediatric healthcare provider Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. This multi-year partnership will continue to offer access to 2,300 paediatric doctors and allied health practitioners in more than 60 programmes. Children's Healthcare of Atlanta has three hospitals, Arthur M. Blank, Hughes Spalding and Scottish Rite, and other neighbourhood locations. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Georgia president Robert Bunch said: 'We are pleased to continue our valuable alliance with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to provide specialised care for our youngest members across Georgia. 'We are fortunate to have the Southeast's top paediatric hospital right here in our backyard to make sure access to quality care is not an issue for our children and teens.' The partnership between Anthem and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta will incorporate clinical information and digital links to streamline operations and lessen administrative workloads. These measures aim to facilitate improved, patient-centred treatment and are anticipated to enhance the health results for patients under the care of the healthcare provider who are covered by Anthem health plans. Children's Healthcare of Atlanta CEO Donna Hyland said: 'As Georgia's only freestanding paediatric healthcare system, we are happy that this agreement will maintain access to the specialised paediatric care that Georgia's families depend on. 'We believe every child deserves the care that only Children's can provide.' This agreement follows Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield's recent multi-year provider network agreement with Resurgens Orthopaedics, which also focuses on clinical data integration and improving digital connectivity. In April, Inova entered a multi-year agreement with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield to continue offering service access for Anthem plan members. "Anthem signs provider network agreement with Children's Healthcare" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Civic 50 Award Honors Blue Shield of California as One of the Most Community-Minded Companies in the Nation
Nonprofit health plan recognized for its commitment to "Stand for What's Right" for third consecutive year. OAKLAND, Calif., June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Shield of California has been named a 2025 honoree of The Civic 50 by Points of Light, the world's largest organization dedicated to increasing volunteering. For more than a decade, The Civic 50 award has served as the national standard for corporate citizenship and showcases how leading companies are moving social impact and community to the core of their business. "Living our mission and building a healthier California requires us to be present in our communities and show up as a positive force," said Mike Stuart, interim president and CEO, Blue Shield of California. "This recognition is a testament to the passion and commitment of our employees and how we come together to make a positive difference for our members, communities and planet. We are very proud to be recognized again by The Civic 50 for our strong culture of philanthropy and our dedication to living out our mission." The Civic 50 honorees are top community-minded companies in the United States with annual revenues of at least $1 billion. Honorees are selected through an annual survey that evaluates the scale, sophistication and impact of their employee volunteering, community engagement and corporate philanthropy work. Blue Shield is one of California's largest health plans with more than 7,500 employees, serving 6 million members. Blue Shield is a nonprofit health plan that voluntarily caps its income at 2% of revenue, returning the difference back to customers and California communities. "In an ever-evolving landscape, companies are looking to ensure that they can meet the needs of their communities, customers and stakeholders," said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, Points of Light. "Companies like Blue Shield of California are leading the way in showing how social impact benefits their employees' well-being, strengthens the communities where they do business, and brings value and meaning to their work. Their efforts provide a model for others looking to bring the benefits of volunteering and social impact to their workforce and they're extremely deserving of this recognition." An honoree in 2021, 2023 and 2024, Blue Shield was recognized this year for a variety of programs including: Record-breaking employee volunteerism and givingNearly every employee (99%) gave back in 2024, volunteering more than 68,000 hours and donating over $1.6 million (including company match) to more than 2,600 nonprofit organizations. The company facilitated more than 375 volunteer events, ranging from home repairs and tree plantings, to fundraising for therapy animal programs and diabetes prevention. Investing in communitiesIn 2024, the health plan contributed $20 million to its Blue Shield of California Foundation, which supported 99 grants to organizations that are working to make California the healthiest state and end domestic violence. In addition, Blue Shield invested $7.2 million in California nonprofits that are advancing mental health, environmental sustainability and the future healthcare workforce. Expanding access to youth mental health supportBlueSky, Blue Shield's youth mental health initiative, celebrated its 5-year anniversary last year. The initiative invests in best-in-class nonprofit organizations and programs that promote emotional well-being for young people across California. To date, BlueSky has supported over 20,000 youth and educators through therapy, training and youth advocacy programs. Driving environmental actionBlue Shield is leading the health plan industry in addressing the intersection of climate and health. Committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), Blue Shield has also expanded efforts to address emissions across its supply chain. At the same time, Blue Shield continued to invest in nonprofit groups focused on environmental justice, while empowering employees and members to take part in sustainability efforts. In 2024, 71% of eligible members chose paperless communications, saving the equivalent of over 20,000 trees annually. The Civic 50 survey is administered by True Impact, and the results are analyzed by VeraWorks. The survey instrument consists of quantitative and multiple-choice questions that inform the scoring process. The Civic 50 is the only survey and ranking system that exclusively measures corporate community engagement. For more on The Civic 50, visit Read more about Blue Shield of California's citizenship efforts at or visit the "Standing for What's Right" section of our 2024 Mission Report. About Blue Shield of CaliforniaBlue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. The health plan is a tax paying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with nearly 6 million members, over 7,500 employees and more than $25 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $60 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last three years to have an impact on California communities. For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit Or follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook. About Points of LightPoints of Light is a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips, and mobilizes millions of people to take action that creates a positive impact through volunteering and civic engagement. Through partnerships with nonprofits, companies and social impact leaders, the organization galvanizes volunteers to meet critical needs for healthier and more resilient communities. As the world's largest organization dedicated to increasing volunteer service, Points of Light engages more than 3.8 million volunteers across 32 countries. For more information, visit CONTACT: Mark SeeligBlue Shield of California 510-607-2359 media@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Blue Shield of California Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
04-06-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Announce Multi-Year Contract
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield announced today a new, multi-year provider network agreement with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Georgia's leading pediatric healthcare provider with three hospitals and multiple neighborhood locations. This partnership will continue to provide access to 2,300 pediatric physicians and allied health practitioners across more than 60 pediatric programs. 'We are pleased to continue our valuable alliance with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to provide specialized care for our youngest members across Georgia,' said Robert Bunch, President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia. Share 'We are pleased to continue our valuable alliance with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to provide specialized care for our youngest members across Georgia,' said Robert Bunch, President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia. 'We are fortunate to have the Southeast's top pediatric hospital right here in our backyard to make sure access to quality care is not an issue for our children and teens.' As part of the agreement, the two organizations will continue to concentrate on the integration of clinical data and digital connectivity to optimize processes, lessen administrative burdens, and enable efficient, patient-focused care. These efforts aim to drive improved health outcomes, benefiting Children's patients covered by Anthem health plans, including employer-sponsored, individual, and Medicaid. 'As Georgia's only freestanding pediatric healthcare system, we are happy that this agreement will maintain access to the specialized pediatric care that Georgia's families depend on,' said Donna Hyland, CEO, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. 'We believe every child deserves the care that only Children's can provide.' About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Anthem is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is available at Also, follow us at @anthemBCBS on X or on LinkedIn. About Children's Healthcare of Atlanta As the only freestanding pediatric healthcare system in Georgia, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is the trusted leader in caring for kids. The not-for-profit organization's mission is to make kids better today and healthier tomorrow through more than 60 pediatric specialties and programs, top healthcare professionals, and leading research and technology. Children's is one of the largest pediatric clinical care providers in the country, managing more than one million patient visits annually at three hospitals (Arthur M. Blank, Hughes Spalding and Scottish Rite), Marcus Autism Center, the Center for Advanced Pediatrics, the Zalik Behavioral and Mental Health Center, urgent care centers and neighborhood locations. Consistently ranked among the top children's hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta has impacted the lives of kids in Georgia, across the United States and around the world for more than 100 years thanks to generous support from the community.
