Blue Cross Complete expected to provide more insurance coverage for area residents.

DETROIT — Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan has announced that it is expanding its coverage for lower income individuals and families in select counties in Michigan, including Mason and Oceana counties.

Blue Cross Complete of Michigan is a  joint venture between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) and AmeriHealth Caritas, which serves Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan members in Livingston, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. Blue Cross Complete comes as a recommendation by the Michigan Department of Human Services and is expected to provide insurance coverage to thousands more lower-income Michigan residents with Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan coverage. The new contract, which takes effect January 1, 2016, will expand Blue Cross Complete of Michigan’s service to 29 additional counties in southeastern and western Michigan.

“For 76 years, Michigan residents have known Blue Cross for the security that comes with access to quality health care,” said Daniel J. Loepp, president and CEO of BCBSM.  “As tens of thousands more Michigan residents receive health care through Medicaid managed care plans, Blue Cross is grateful for the opportunity to serve them. We also are prepared to partner with the state to meet our shared goal of transforming health care through pay-for-value and integrated care efforts.”

Blue Cross Complete of Michigan currently serves Medicaid-eligible residents of Livingston, Wayne and Washtenaw counties. When formally approved by the State of Michigan, the new contract will expand Blue Cross Complete of Michigan’s service area to include Allegan, Barry, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Hillsdale, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kent, Lake, Lapeer, Lenawee, Macomb, Mason, Mecosta, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair and Tuscola counties.

“Removing barriers to health care and services for those who are most in need is a top priority for Blue Cross Complete,” said Heidi Chan, market president for Blue Cross Complete. “We look forward to working with our partners across the state so that many more Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries will be able to benefit from our integrated, person-centric approach to care.”

Blue Cross Complete of Michigan’s members will benefit from its ownership structure, which combines the strengths of the state’s largest health insurer and a national leader in Medicaid managed care and other integrated health care solutions. AmeriHealth Caritas delivers award-winning expertise in caring for low-income and chronically ill populations.