WELLCHOICE RENEWS XEROX CONTRACT

Because its existing relationship with Xerox has been so productive, New York-based WellChoice, Inc. is sticking with its existing vendor partner on the road to paperlessness and has signed a six-year contract valued at approximately $50 million. The contract builds on a seven-year relationship between the companies.

Under the terms of the contract for outsourced services and digital office solutions, Xerox Global Services (Stamford, CT) will continue to create, print and distribute over 3.5 million customized explanation of benefits (EOB) documents, as well as an additional 10,000 customized post-enrollment kits to members each month, Xerox says. With cost savings in mind, Xerox will also be transitioning some of WellChoice's paper-based business processes into digitally-based transactions. Work under the contract will also include the consolidation of WellChoice's printer, copier and multifunction fleet and the upgrading of antiquated systems, the vendor claims.

According to a spokesperson for WellChoice-which comprises Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield and WellChoice NJ-"This is the continuation of an existing relationship and an existing move on our part to move away from paper," she says. "We've worked very closely with Xerox over the past couple of years and it's been a very productive relationship."

The agreement also includes on-site support of supplies management, records management and preventative maintenance at six WellChoice sites, Xerox says.

Anthony O'Donnell has covered technology in the insurance industry since 2000, when he joined the editorial staff of Insurance & Technology. As an editor and reporter for I&T and the InformationWeek Financial Services of TechWeb he has written on all areas of information ... View Full Bio