EAGAN, Minn., Aug. 28, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) is making shopping for health insurance even more personalized by opening the state's first retail store operated by a Minnesota-based health insurer.
The company has signed a multi-year lease to operate a 3,500 square-foot space in the Yorkdale Shoppes mall on York Ave. in Edina, Minn. The store will be the first-of-its-kind in Minnesota, offering both individual consumers and Medicare enrollees face-to-face sales and service support direct from Blue Cross employees. Remodeling of the Blue Cross location, formerly occupied by Christopher & Banks, will start in September. A modern and welcoming interior design will feature a reception check-in desk, private offices for personalized consultations, and a community gathering space for informational sessions and health and wellness activities. A grand opening date will be announced in the coming weeks.
"We are excited to be the first health plan to open a retail location that is specifically designed to provide a full spectrum of shopping options, personalized service and health engagement opportunities," said Michael Guyette, president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. "The retail model has proven to be very popular with Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in other states. Through our association, we are able to utilize those best practices and bring them here to Minnesota. We see the Edina location as our flagship store, and we hope to apply our experience and learnings to other areas of the state in the years to follow."
The store is slated to remain open year-round. Throughout the year, consumers will have in-person opportunities for learning more about how a Blue Cross plan can best meet their particular needs. Additionally, Blue Cross members will have the added option of making direct payments for their coverage or speaking with store staff to answer questions and provide guidance on various plan benefits, such as health assessments and screenings.
Walk-in hours will be Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointment scheduling also will be available.
Editor's Note – artist renderings of exterior and interior of the store and interior animation of the store available here .
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota's first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. A nonprofit, taxable organization, Blue Cross is the largest health plan based in Minnesota, covering 2.6 million members in Minnesota and nationally through its health plans or plans administered by its affiliated companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago. Go to bluecrossmn.com to learn more about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
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