Secondly, and most importantly, what we are today is what we would be tomorrow, only better. Separate legislation is required because current state laws were passed in a time that did not contemplate a more modern way of organizing ourselves to better serve our members while retaining our historic not-for-profit mission. Horizon will only be allowed to become a not-for-profit mutual if we can clearly demonstrate to the Commissioner that it will be in the best interest of our members. That process would be open and transparent, with public hearings and opportunity for comments. It simply creates a process for us to apply to the state Department of Banking and Insurance to seek the change, and it lays out the conditions that Horizon BCBSNJ would need to meet in order to become a not-for-profit mutual holding company. So let me, here and now, offer those assurances as clearly and succinctly as I can.Įstablishing an Open and Transparent Review Processįirst, the proposed bill does not imminently change the structure of our company. They seek assurances – understandably – that the change we are requesting is truly in the best interest of New Jerseyans and that it will not alter the fundamental purpose we have been dedicated to for the past 88 years: to always be there for our members, helping them achieve their best health and improving the health of New Jersey’s communities. While just about everyone agrees that we should have the tools and flexibility to best serve our members, some industry observers have asked important questions about our becoming a not-for-profit mutual holding company. At the end of the day, we would still be accountable to and operate for the benefit of our members, who are Horizon policyholders – not shareholders or anyone else. It preserves our historic mission as New Jersey’s only not-for-profit health insurer with strong ties to its communities.

The bill before the State legislature protects what makes our company unique. Staying True to Our Mission of Working for Members, Not Shareholders We also played a leadership role to protect New Jersey’s health by contributing nearly $800,000 to local non-profits and community groups, by donating 500,000 N95 masks and 81,000 face shields, and by providing $2 million to the Governor’s Pandemic Relief Fund. We helped employers preserve health coverage for their employees by working with them while businesses and workers sheltered in place.

For people feeling stressed, anxious or depressed we expanded options for no-cost mental and emotional health support. To make access to care safer, more affordable and more convenient when the pandemic hit, we expanded telemedicine benefits and eliminated out-of-pocket costs for COVID-related testing and care. Horizon BCBSNJ is uniquely focused on New Jersey and, as we demonstrated when COVID-19 struck New Jersey, deeply committed to being there for our members and New Jersey’s communities when you need us most. That change, if approved by New Jersey’s legislature and the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, will give us the flexibility to adapt and respond as our members’ needs change and as the health care system evolves in our rapidly changing and highly competitive marketplace.

That increasing pace of change is why Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) is seeking legislation that allows us to make a technical change to our corporate structure and modernize to a not-for-profit mutual holding company. It’s just another sign that health care is evolving faster than ever. has a smart speaker like Alexa, and an increasing number of people are using the units to manage their health. Today, more than one in four households in the U.S. Georges, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jerseyįive years ago, Amazon introduced Alexa, the virtual assistant that gives customers a more intuitive way to interact with the technology they use every day. Georges, Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officerīy William D. HORIZON HEALTHCARE SERVICES, INC.William D. HORIZON HEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANY NEW YORK, INC. HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY HORIZON HEALTHCARE SERVICES, INC.- DENTAL HORIZON HEALTHCARE SERVICES, INC.- HEALTH HORIZON HEALTHCARE SERVICES, INC.- PRESCRIPTION DRUGS HORIZON HELATHCARE SERVICES, INC DENTAL COVERAGE Other Company Names associated with EIN HORIZON HEALTH SERVICES, INC. is a USA domiciled entity or foreign entity operating in the USA. Employer Identification Number 22-0999690HORIZON HEALTHCARE SERVICES, INC.

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