New Blues Plan HQ Cuts Costs, Boosts Efficiency
Published Mar 24, 2007
Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico consolidated operations in a $28 million headquarters with 116,000 square feet of space.
Officials with Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico expect their investment in a new headquarters building in Albuquerque will pay significant dividends.
By enabling the health-care insurer to consolidate some of its operations, the building is expected to yield greater operational efficiency, lower administrative costs and better customer service. In fact, President Liz Watrin has estimated that BCBSNM will save about $1.73 million a year.
The new building occupies an 11-acre site adjacent to Interstate 25 and near Balloon Fiesta Park. At four stories and 116,000 square feet, it cost about $28 million. Construction was completed in late 2006, and employees began moving into their new digs in early 2007.
The building, which replaces two former Blue Cross Blue Shield locations, brought about 350 employees under the same roof.
“It just makes sense,” says Janice Torrez, vice president of marketing and external affairs. “We’re always looking to increase our efficiency and decrease our costs.”
Consolidation of headquarters operations into a single building eliminates the time staff previously spent traveling between the two locations to attend meetings and other business activities, Torrez says.
In addition, she says, the new facility can accommodate future growth; it can house up to about 500 workers.
A customer service facility on Alexander Boulevard in Albuquerque will continue to operate. “There are about 500 employees in that building,” Torrez says. “It’s a very efficient building.”
Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico is a locally operated corporation providing health-care coverage to more than 250,000 people across the state. Customers are large and small businesses, individuals, and the state and federal governments. The insurer has been in existence in New Mexico for more than 65 years.
Story by Sue Lenthe
Photo by Brian McCord
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