IBM has entered into a five-year services agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA), to transform the organisation’s information technology (IT) environment into a more responsive, competitive and flexible IT delivery model.
IBM said that its offering is aligned to BCBSMA’s new IT Operating Model that redefines all aspects of IT activities from strategy and planning, through delivery of solutions and operations.
The new model is expected to help enable BCBSMA to effectively deliver and support IT offerings in alignment with the company and industry changes, and to generate expected savings of approximately $16m annually, the companies said.
IBM said that its plan to optimise the technology environment for BCBSMA includes end-user technical support for employees and management of the organisation’s data centre operations and applications portfolio to enhance the organisation’s IT operational processes.
In addition, IBM will host BCBSMA’s external web site, bluecrossma.com, enabling its members fast and more secure online access to claims and general health care information.
Brian Whitfield, general manager for public sector at IBM Global Technology Services, said: "As health care companies undertake aggressive efforts to improve their cost structure, IBM is in a unique position to help BCBSMA achieve greater flexibility and control of its service offerings.
"With a modernised IT environment, BCBSMA and its members will realise a significant improvement in health care management."
