OVERLAND PARK, Kan. --Sprint today announced it has expanded its relationship with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) through a new, multi-million dollar agreement for Cisco Systems customer premise equipment (CPE) and maintenance.
Late last year, Sprint and BCBSA announced that the 41 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans had access to discount pricing on a variety of Sprint products and services. Now the Plans have additional access to discount pricing on CPE for such services as IP data and Voice over IP services. Sprint is providing the equipment as part of an existing strategic relationship with Cisco.
"Through the Cisco agreement, Sprint has again proven its commitment to aiding Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plan efforts to continue to reduce administrative cost while increasing access and efficiencies to members," said Jody Voss, BCBSA Executive Director, Business Development. "In this situation, we selected Sprint because of their competitive pricing and the strong service commitment they provide for Cisco equipment, software and maintenance."
Sprint's voice and data services help Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans enhance employee collaboration and communication as well as expand customer service capabilities. Additionally, Sprint provides a comprehensive solution portfolio to secure the data network to help Blue Plans maintain secure customer information for compliance with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
"Sprint is pleased to deepen its relationship with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and provide one-stop shopping for equipment as well as voice and data solutions for the 41 Plans," said Jay Highley, vice president, Sprint Business Solutions - Central. "As technologies evolve and BCBSA needs change, Sprint will continue to help BCBSA evaluate the alternatives and opportunities to make it easier for them to work with Sprint."
Together, Sprint and Cisco are aligned in a strategic relationship that focuses on meeting customer needs for IP equipment and services through shared market research, joint development of new products and technologies, and joint sales and marketing.
Sprint
