RENO, Nev., March 31 /PRNewswire/ — Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Nevada announced today that Anthem’s 100,000 members in northern Nevada and surrounding areas now have access to in-network care at Saint Mary’s, the result of a recently signed contract between Anthem and the medical center.

“Saint Mary’s has not been part of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s network. We are very pleased that effective April 1, 2009, Anthem members will be able to come to Saint Mary’s for all of their health care needs – on an in-network basis,” said Mike Uboldi, president and CEO of Saint Mary’s. “Saint Mary’s is our region’s number one ranked hospital in quality patient care by the federal government’s quality measures. Customers want choice when it comes to their health care options and with this new contract, Anthem members in northern Nevada now can choose Saint Mary’s.”

This is the fourth non-exclusive contract that Saint Mary’s has signed with a major insurance carrier over the past two years. The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield contract follows a similar arrangement signed with other major insurers in the last two years. Saint Mary’s is now contracted with more insurance companies than any other hospital in northern Nevada.

“This is another important, positive step in increasing choice for Anthem members living in northern Nevada,” said Mike Murphy, President, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Nevada. “Saint Mary’s has a long and distinguished history in northern Nevada and we look forward to a long and successful relationship with them.”

“We are excited that Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield customers will now have access to Saint Mary’s as we are dedicated to providing the best health care experience possible, with the latest technology and a dedicated and talented staff,” said Uboldi.

Saint Mary’s recently celebrated 100 years of service to northern Nevada and has been recognized as a leader in health care. Recently, Saint Mary’s Center for Cancer received approval with accommodation, a great accomplishment for the region’s newest Center for Cancer. Saint Mary’s Center for Cancer is also the only facility that features the latest technology in radiation delivery, with CyberKnife, which treats tumors that before were considered untreatable.

About Saint Mary’s

In 2009 Saint Mary’s celebrates 101 years of delivering compassionate, high-quality, affordable health services to northern Nevada. Founded in 1908 by the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, Saint Mary’s is a member of the Catholic Healthcare West family of hospitals and medical centers in Arizona, California, and Nevada. As a fully integrated, faith-based healthcare system with 380 licensed beds, approximately 2,300 employees, 850 affiliated physicians, and 300 volunteers, Saint Mary’s provides a wide variety of inpatient, outpatient, and community services to go Well Beyond for the community we serve. For more information, please visit www.saintmarysreno.org.

About Catholic Healthcare West

Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit hospital providers. Founded in 1986, the CHW network of more than 8,500 physicians and approximately 50,000 employees serves a population spanning 22 million people, at 42 hospitals across California, Arizona, and Nevada. CHW is committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality, affordable healthcare services with special attention to the poor and underserved. In 2006, CHW provided $803 million in charity care, community benefits, and unreimbursed patient care. For more information, please visit the CHW website at www.chwhealth.org.

Nevada:

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. (R)ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Nevada is available at www.anthem.com.

Source: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Nevada

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