The Affordable Care Act is a new federal law that requires most Americans to have adequate health insurance coverage in 2014, or pay a tax penalty. The process of purchasing health insurance can be a daunting task.  For some of the Hispanic population in New Jersey, adding a language barrier to the complexity of health care can lead to even more confusion and frustration.

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) understands the challenges Hispanic consumers face when trying to purchase or even use their health insurance. With this in mind, in 2012, we introduced a new initiative – Tu Seguro Azul (your blue insurance) -- to assist Spanish speaking consumers with tools and information they need to navigate the often complex health insurance system. On October 1, 2013, Horizon BCBSNJ expanded this initiative to help Hispanic consumers understand how the Affordable Care Act impacts them. Tu Seguro Azul included the development of a new website for Spanish speakers. HorizonAzul.com provides important online resources to help visitors make the right decisions about their health and health insurance.

We welcome the opportunity to speak to Hispanic consumers – in their language. We have a highly trained and dedicated a special customer service and sales teams to assist Spanish-speaking members and answer questions about health benefits, or even help someone purchase health insurance for themselves or their family. If you are a Spanish-speaking Horizon BCBSNJ member, please call 1-855-477-AZUL(2985) to speak to a Spanish-speaking service representative.  If you are looking to purchase health insurance, please call 1-866-246-7448 to speak to a Spanish-speaking sales representative to help you find a health insurance plan that is right for you and your family.

“Many of our Spanish speaking members are hesitant to speak to representatives that don’t speak their language,” said Amanda P., a customer service representative on the managed care team and part of the Tu Seguro Azul Team. “When they call our Spanish customer service line, consumers feel more at ease to express themselves openly about their medical issues or any other concerns they may have about their health or benefits.”

With Horizon Azul, Spanish-speaking consumers can talk directly to a Spanish-speaking customer service representative, rather than through an intermediary. “In many cases, children become a translator for their parents because the parents do not speak English.” said Ernest A., a Horizon BCBSNJ Claims and Benefits Representative on the Tu Seguro Azul Team. “As a result, bilingual children oftentimes become aware of many grown up issues that they should not have to know or worry about. Members feel comfortable talking to us because they know that we understand everything they say. Within the short amount of time, Spanish-speaking members realize that they have found someone they can count on – and communicate with – to manage their health care needs.”

“As a member of Horizon’s Tu Seguro Azul Team, it’s important for me to deliver the highest quality of service to our Spanish-speaking members. I want our members to know that we are here to help and that they can always call us with questions,” said Amanda P. “It makes a world of difference when you can call your health insurer and speak to someone in your own language.”

To complement Tu Seguro Azul, Horizon BCBSNJ recently teamed-up with Univision to help educate the public about the new health care law.  Horizon BCBSNJ is the exclusive New Jersey sponsor of the Health Insurance Center, located in the Salude section of in Univision.com (Salude.Univision.com/es).  The Health Insurance Center is designed to simplify health insurance for individuals that primarily speak Spanish.  Within the center, individuals will find answers to frequently asked questions as well as healthy food recipes and testimonial videos conveying the importance of having health insurance to protect yourself and your family.

For years, Horizon BCBSNJ has been active in Hispanic communities across the state, offering free health screenings and educating the public on all health care issues. Through this new collaboration, Horizon BCBSNJ can more actively engage New Jersey’s Hispanic community and provide access to health insurance information that they can trust. “Univision to the Spanish speaking community means reliable, important information from one of the most experienced and trusted sources,” said Ernesto A, “Most importantly, Univision means our people, our community, and our roots.”

Horizon BCBSNJ is the oldest and largest health insurance company in the state and an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Horizon BCBSNJ has been serving New Jersey communities for more than 80 years.  Horizon BCBSNJ is committed to a culturally attuned approach to helping Hispanic residents improve their understanding of the Affordable Care Act and meet their health care needs.  Whether through Tu Seguro Azul or our partnership with Univision, we are here for you!