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Date: Tuesday, April 1, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: HCFA Press Office(202) 690-6145

HCFA Administrator Bruce C. Vladeck noted that the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine has a proven performance record as a Medicare Part A intermediary in Maine and as a regional processor of Medicare home health, hospice, and rural health clinic claims. "As with past transitions, HCFA staff are working to guarantee a smooth transition. Both the incoming and outgoing intermediaries are cooperating fully, and Medicare beneficiaries and health care facilities can be assured there will be no interruption of service," said Vladeck.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine says it will hire many current Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts Medicare staff and keep Medicare Part A operations in Massachusetts. The transition will be completed by Aug. 1, 1997, when Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts' contract ends. In January, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts announced its decision to end both its Medicare Part A and Part B contracts to focus on managed care products. In early March, HCFA announced that the National Heritage Insurance Company would take over as a Medicare Part B carrier for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts in the states of Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.