Life Can Change in a Moment: A Message from AZ Blue CEO Pam Kehaly

An accident or health emergency can hit with no warning – it happens every day.

The initial concept of health insurance centered around protecting people from financial catastrophe when the worst happens. Although that’s still the fundamental purpose, fortunately, health coverage has evolved into so much more.

Health insurance has expanded to include whole person health, routine care, preventive services covered at 100%, and medications to proactively support overall health.

And there’s no stopping the evolution. At AZ Blue, we are leaning into the future of health solutions. Every day, our clinical excellence team champions proactive care, with condition management and rapid response teams helping members get the care they need – when they need it.

Yet, while health insurers in Arizona are doing more, people are starting to think less of their health plans. A statewide survey AZ Blue conducted shows:

Only 50% of Arizonans believe their health insurance would protect them from most of the bills if they had a major medical emergency.

This insight offers an opportunity to go back to the basics. Health insurance’s fundamental purpose is to shield you from the financial shock of extreme medical costs. AZ Blue is here to protect members, often taking care of more than 99% of hospital charges that we see ranging from hundreds of thousands of dollars to well over a million dollars.

And, while premiums might feel like an unnecessary commitment for those with minimal health needs, insurance is fundamentally designed to protect members from what could happen. Health insurance, like auto or home coverage, protects against risk…and delivers peace of mind that catastrophic medical expenses will be covered if the worst happens.

Nobody plans for an ordinary day to end in tragedy. Or to go in for a regular doctor’s visit and receive a life-changing diagnosis. But there’s one less worry when you know your insurer has your back.

It was true when health insurance first came about in the early 20th century, and it’s still true today.

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