Anthem and Kroger sign national health care agreement

More than 30,000 employees of The Kroger Co., the country's largest retail food company, are expected to join the rolls of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield members nationwide on January 1, 2001, under a new, five-year contract.

"Anthem is a quality organization with national provider access capabilities that dovetail nicely with Kroger's health care benefit delivery needs," said Mike Stoll, vice president of corporate benefits for Cincinnati-based Kroger. Our recent experience with Anthem regionally has been very good. It makes sense now to expand the relationship on a national basis."

Prior to this new arrangement, Anthem provided health care benefits to Kroger employees in the Bowling Green, Ky., and Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio marketing areas.

The Kroger account will be managed from Anthem's Indianapolis-based National Accounts Operation Center. "This business is truly national, with potential members in over 40 states," said Mike Houk, vice president and general manager, national accounts for Anthem.

Edited by Steve Tarnoff
Managing Editor, HRHub.com
Starnoff@vertical.net