A "contractual relationship" is defined as an arrangement whereby an organization has a contract to provide a service or product to the corporate entities of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, its subsidiaries or affiliates (in the nature of a "vendor" relationship). Such a relationship would make the organization ineligible for a foundation grant.
Organizations whose sole relationship is that of purchasing health insurance for its employees from Arkansas Blue Cross, its subsidiaries or affiliates (in the nature of a "customer" relationship), and do not provide a service or product to these corporate entities, are not considered to have a "contractual relationship" within this definition, and therefore are eligible for grants, if other eligibility criteria are met.
Also, an organization that has a contractual relationship to provide a service or product to individuals or groups that have health insurance through Arkansas Blue Cross, its subsidiaries or affiliates (in the nature of a "provider" relationship), are eligible to receive grants, if other eligibility criteria are met. For example, participating providers (physicians or hospitals) are not considered ineligible simply because they provide a service to individuals insured through Arkansas Blue Cross, its subsidiaries or affiliates.
An exception to the "provider" guideline above involves those several hospitals which have a joint venture contractual relationship with Arkansas Blue Cross, its subsidiaries or affiliates. A grant application from a joint venture hospital would be ineligible. However, a qualifying Foundation of such a joint venture hospital could be eligible to apply for a grant, if other eligibility criteria are met.
In summary, "vendors" are ineligible, but "customers" and "providers" as defined above are generally eligible for grants, if other eligibility criteria are met.