IBC Press Releases

IBC Chief Operating Officer to Retire in July 2010

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Orderly internal succession planned

Philadelphia, PA - October 29, 2009 - Independence Blue Cross's Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Christopher D. Butler will retire July 1, 2010, after a 35-year career with Blue Cross health insurance companies, including 18 years in Philadelphia with IBC.

In a joint announcement today, IBC and the AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies said that under a six-month succession plan, IBC will create two new positions which will be filled by senior executives from AmeriHealth Mercy and IBC. The positions will be aligned with IBC's strategies for growth, operations, and medical management. The two executives will report to IBC President and CEO Joseph A. Frick, who will continue to lead the corporation.

On January 1, 2010, Butler will step down as COO and continue in his role as executive vice president. For the next six months, he will work with his two successors to ensure a smooth transition as they assume their new responsibilities. After his retirement, Butler will continue to serve as a member of the IBC Board of Directors.

Also on January 1, Daniel J. Hilferty will become president of health markets for IBC, reporting to Frick. Hilferty is currently president and chief executive officer of AmeriHealth Mercy, a Medicaid managed care company headquartered in Philadelphia and providing services in 13 states. AmeriHealth Mercy is jointly owned as a partnership of Independence Blue Cross and Mercy Health System. AmeriHealth Mercy is the largest organization of Medicaid managed care plans and affiliated businesses in the United States, serving 6.5 million people nationwide through publicly funded programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Programs. In his new role at IBC, Hilferty will oversee sales, marketing, and subsidiary operations, which include AmeriHealth Administrators, AmeriHealth New Jersey, and Comp Services. He will also have profit-and-loss responsibility for IBC's five-county core business.

On January 1, I. Steven Udvarhelyi, M.D., who has served for 13 years as IBC's senior vice president and chief medical officer, will become IBC's executive vice president for health services, reporting to Frick. He will lead health services, pharmacy, operations, information technology, and customer service.

"We are deeply grateful to Chris Butler for his extraordinary leadership for the last 18 years, building our membership, developing innovative health plans to serve the changing needs of our customers, and introducing new capabilities like informatics," said Frick. "While it is always hard to lose an accomplished leader and close friend like Chris, we are pleased with this planned, orderly transition and I am looking forward to the opportunity to work more closely with both Dan Hilferty and Steve Udvarhelyi whose judgment, commitment, and vision I admire."

Butler joined IBC in 1991 as senior vice president of marketing for Keystone Health Plan East, a subsidiary of IBC that manages its HMO plan. In 1995, he became the chief marketing officer for IBC and its subsidiaries, including the Keystone HMO and the AmeriHealth Companies. He became chief operating officer and executive vice president in 2005. Before joining IBC, Butler served in several different leadership roles at Blue plans in Ohio and New Jersey.

In addition, Michael Rashid, who is currently the executive vice president of AmeriHealth Mercy, will become its president and CEO on January 1, succeeding Hilferty. Rashid, who has been with AmeriHealth Mercy for 14 years, previously served senior executive roles at Medicaid organizations in New Jersey, Maryland, and the mid-Atlantic region, including president and chief executive officer of Mercy Health Plan of New Jersey (now Horizon NJ Health) and director of Medicaid Operations for Prudential Health Plan's Atlantic region.

"In challenging times like these, it is important that IBC continues to be led by seasoned industry experts, and our board has full confidence in the proven leadership of Dan Hilferty and Steve Udvarhelyi and the strength of the team they will form with our CEO Joe Frick," said IBC board chairman Walter D'Alessio.

Commented H. Ray Welch, Jr., chair of the board of the AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies: "Dan Hilferty's leadership has driven the success of AmeriHealth Mercy for more than a decade. His appointment to a top executive role at IBC is a natural progression in a long career of increasingly responsible leadership positions. We are fortunate to have great bench strength at AmeriHealth Mercy, with our Executive Vice President Michael Rashid, who is ready to take the reins as CEO."

Hilferty is known nationally as a leader in the publicly insured managed care industry and an advocate for health care access and quality, and is the board president of Medicaid Health Plans of America, a trade and advocacy organization. Hilferty has more than 25 years of experience in health care, government affairs, communications and education, having worked in government affairs for Mercy Health System in Southeastern Pennsylvania and as executive director of PennPorts with the Office of Pennsylvania Governor Robert P. Casey.

Dr. Udvarhelyi is a board certified internist and has almost 20 years of experience in the managed care industry, including working with the health plans of the Prudential Insurance Company of America in Florida, Georgia and New Jersey and as a faculty member at Harvard Medical School. As chief medical officer at IBC, Dr. Udvarhelyi has had overall responsibility for medical management programs and policies, provider contracting and provider relations, enterprise-wide information management (informatics), and pharmacy services, which includes IBC's pharmacy benefit management subsidiaries, FutureScripts and FutureScripts Secure.

Prior to joining AmeriHealth Mercy, Rashid was president and chief executive officer of Mercy Health Plan of New Jersey (now Horizon NJ Health), where he led managed health care services to Medicaid clients in New Jersey. Prior to that, Rashid served as director of Medicaid Operations for Prudential Health Plan's Atlantic region, which included operations in Baltimore, Maryland and start-ups in Washington, DC and Virginia. He also served as chief executive officer of Total Health Care, a Medicaid managed care plan in Baltimore. In addition, Rashid has several years of experience in health care management consulting and managing health care provision in a city health corporation.

For more information about Independence Blue Cross, check www.ibx.com. For further information about AmeriHealth Mercy, go to www.amerihealthmercy.com.

About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.3 million people. For more than 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross's HMO and PPO health care plans have consistently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Independence Blue Cross supports comprehensive health care reform that would extend coverage to all Americans, reduce costs, and improve quality. We also advocate reform that builds on the current employer-based system that currently serves 170 million Americans. Learn more about our views on health care legislation now working its way through Congress.

About the AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies
The AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies is the largest organization of Medicaid managed care plans and affiliated businesses in the United States, touching the lives of more than 6.5 million individuals. With more than 20 years of experience exclusively serving the Medicaid population, AmeriHealth Mercy's core products include full-risk HMOs, management, administrative, pharmacy benefit, and care management services, and behavioral health care services.

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IBC Set to Present on Patient Safety Strategies for Lower Costs

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Center Valley, PA - October 23, 2009 - Kathy Donohue, R.N., of Independence Blue Cross (IBC) will present on a patient safety panel as part of the Pennsylvania State Nurses Summit this morning at 10:30 a.m. at DeSales University in the Lehigh Valley. Donohue will share multiple programs and strategies that Independence Blue Cross has introduced over the past nine years to assist physicians and hospitals in improving patient safety throughout southeastern Pennsylvania.

"As a health insurer, IBC is committed to working with physicians to improve the quality of health care for members and the community, and introduced a comprehensive patient safety program in 2001," said Donohue, manager of provider improvement and member safety at IBC. The program was created in response to a 1999 Institute of Medicine report, To Err is Human, which concluded that nearly 100,000 hospitalized patients die each year because of medical error.

"We designed a program focused on patient safety to reduce medication errors, surgical mistakes, and to improve patient safety overall for our members, striving to make the Philadelphia region the safest place to receive health care," Donohue adds.

With member safety as an ongoing top concern, one of the initiatives IBC has developed is a robust clinical program called the targeted drug utilization review (DUR). Medication therapy for certain conditions can produce dramatic benefits, but only when prescribed medications are used as intended by the physician. When patients don't take medications as directed, they put themselves at risk for worsening disease and reducing the quality of their care.

"This program was created to help improve the members' health by providing valuable pharmacy data to doctors," Donohue explains. "This way, doctors can better work with their patients who are noncompliant with taking prescriptions, or who might be receiving improper doses or combinations of medications, or who may be abusing narcotics." IBC then communicates the misuse or potentially inappropriate prescriptions to their providers. She says that through this program, IBC is able to help prevent serious health risks for members who may unknowingly be taking unsafe drug combinations prescribed by multiple doctors.

There are other components to the patient safety program at IBC. For example, "the Partnership for Patient Care is an innovative collaboration that brings IBC together with participating Philadelphia-area hospitals to improve health care quality for members," Donahue says. Since the Partnership began, its projects have:

improved adoption of processes that prevent surgical site infections, such as increased control of blood sugar in patients ready to undergo surgery and optimized use of antibiotics before and after surgery;
implemented best practices for the prevention of blood infections associated with central line placement;
helped prevent life-threatening blood clots that can develop during hospitalization;
improved the prevention of patient falls and initiated region-wide standardization of falls reporting;
raised awareness about the threat of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) through a unique grass-roots approach - a Fight MRSA! campaign with school students.

Other topics of nursing education at the 2009 Summit include guiding patients toward change through motivational interviewing, reducing exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace, and promoting evidence-based practices in clinical care. The Pennsylvania State Nurses Summit attracts nurses of all disciplines from across the Commonwealth and offers attendees 7.8 contact hours of continuing education credit. The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Independence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.3 million people. For more than 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross's HMO and PPO health care plans have consistently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Independence Blue Cross supports comprehensive health care reform that would extend coverage to all Americans, reduce costs, and improve quality. We advocate reform that builds on the current employer-based system that currently serves 170 million Americans. Learn more about our views on health care legislation now working its way through Congress by visiting our website.

Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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IBC Wins DMAA's Quality Award for Greatest Impact on Satisfaction

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

Survey Reveals High Satisfaction with IBC's Connections Health Management Program

Philadelphia, PA - September 22, 2009 - Today Independence Blue Cross (IBC) proudly accepted the 2009 Quality Impact Award for Greatest Impact on Satisfaction at DMAA: The Care Continuum Alliance's annual Disease Management Leadership Forum. IBC earned this achievement based on members and physicians satisfaction with its Connections^SM Health Management Program.

"Improving our members' health is at the core of our business, and we are thrilled to receive DMAA's recognition for achieving the greatest impact on satisfaction among members and physicians participating in our Connections program," said Esther J. Nash, MD, FACP, senior medical director of Population Health and Wellness at Independence Blue Cross. "Whether consumers are looking for information from a Health Coach or support in making health-related decisions, we offer a multitude of resources so that we are here when they need us."

IBC launched the Connections Health Management Program in 2003 to assist members in gaining the skills and knowledge needed to become active health care consumers, lead healthier lives, and make informed decisions about their care. IBC collaborates with Health Dialog to provide this comprehensive program to more than 1.7 million members. Studies show that members and providers are very satisfied with the Connections program, which helps ensure that members receive the information needed to make the right health care decisions for them, and avoid inappropriate and unnecessary use of medical resources.

Each year, IBC administers annual independent surveys to measure IBC members' satisfaction with the Connections^SM Health Management Program performance. Satisfaction results have exceeded targets for five consecutive years, indicating positive and sustainable outcomes.

"New this year, we've expanded our Quality Impact Awards to recognize those organizations or initiatives that earn the greatest satisfaction among the populations they serve," said Tracey Moorhead, president and CEO of DMAA. "We are pleased to honor Independence Blue Cross, in its collaboration with Health Dialog, for demonstrating a sustained level of member and physician satisfaction through its Connections Health program."

Connections maintained high satisfaction among both IBC's chronic and non-chronic members. The 2008 member survey results showed that:

Eighty-eight percent of members with chronic conditions (and 95 percent non-chronic members) report being "Very Satisfied" or "Satisfied" with the Health Coach's assistance.
Ninety percent of chronic and non-chronic members state that they would recommend the health plan to family and friends based on their Connections Program experience.
Ninety-five percent of chronic members (and 97 percent non-chronic members) indicate that they were able to follow their Connections Health Coach's guidance.
More than 90 percent of chronic and non-chronic members feel that their Connections Health Coach was knowledgeable about their condition or situation.

"Our relationship with IBC helps us provide their customers with, award-winning, industry-leading programs that improve the management of chronic disease and major medical decisions so that members receive the right care at the right time - helping improve health outcomes and reduce costs," says Patrick Flynn, CEO of Health Dialog.

Over the past four years, Connections has reduced medical cost trends by four percent for members with chronic conditions. In 2006, IBC received DMAA's Disease Management Leadership Award for Outstanding Health Plan, which recognizes one health plan in America that has demonstrated vision and leadership in its commitment to disease management, innovative program design, successful plan implementation, and outstanding performance in measuring positive, proven health outcomes.

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About DMAA: The Care Continuum Alliance

DMAA: The Care Continuum Alliance represents more than 200 organizations and individuals and convenes all stakeholders along the care continuum toward population health improvement. Through advocacy, research and promotion of best practices, DMAA advances population-based strategies to improve care quality and outcomes and reduce preventable costs for individuals with and at risk of chronic conditions.

About Health Dialog

Health Dialog is a leading provider of healthcare analytics and decision support. The firm is a private, wholly-owned subsidiary of Bupa, a global provider of healthcare services. Health Dialog helps healthcare payors improve healthcare quality while reducing overall costs. Company offerings include health coaching for medical decisions, chronic conditions, and wellness; population analytic solutions; and consulting services. Health Dialog helps individuals participate in their own healthcare decisions, develop more effective relationships with their physicians, and live healthier, happier lives. For more information please visit www.healthdialog.com.

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Back to School and Back to Important Health Basics for Youth

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

IBC launches interactive website to engage adolescents and teens

Philadelphia, PA - September 18, 2009 - As students head back to school this month, there is no better time to start thinking about health and wellness. In August, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) proudly launched its new, highly-interactive website, Good 2 B Me, for young members and their parents to learn more about the physical, emotional, and social issues affecting the overall health of teens and adolescents.

Adolescence is a time when habits surrounding personal well-being begin to form-habits that often last throughout teenagers' lives. IBC's Good 2 B Me website serves as an entertaining and educational resource for young people ages 11 to 17 to learn about developing healthy habits, while they gain confidence to make smart choices for wellness and preventive health. Visit IBC's new site today at www.good2bme.org.

The website is divided into two separate, virtual worlds for preteens (ages 11 to 13), and older teenagers (ages 14 to 17). A third section for parents offers a one-stop source to help them guide their children through these challenging years. The virtual worlds feature practical tips offered through attention-getting graphics and interactive, 3-D navigation. Customized content makes Good 2 B Me fun to explore. Site visitors receive a virtual cell phone through which they'll receive texts directing them through the website.

A key focus of Good 2 B Me is the crucial role immunizations play in protecting health. More than 35 million American adolescents do not receive the immunizations that are recommended before age 14, which makes them more susceptible to certain illnesses and diseases. Some of the immunizations for this age group include influenza, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), and HPV. Parents are encouraged to discuss dosage requirements and frequency of each vaccine with their children's doctor. The website also tackles a number of other issues, including eating well, exercise, weight management, personal hygiene, and substance abuse.

"Being here every step of the way means conveying to members young and old how important living healthy can be," said Dr. Es Nash, senior medical director at IBC. "As one who has parented three children through the teen years, I've seen how kids can learn 'serious' stuff through the internet and games, and have fun at the same time. We're excited about our new site because it provides answers to health questions that our younger members and their parents may have, while connecting with kids in a new and creative way. These years are a key time for teens to develop healthy habits, and to be good influences on their peers."

Enter to Win!

IBC urges members who are parents to visit Good 2 B Me and enter their children in a raffle to win a Nintendo® Wii before November 30, 2009. The incentive is available for both the 11 to 13 and 14 to 17 age groups. Parents' only requirement to enter the raffle is to visit the new website and complete an Incentive Request Form, proving their children received their recommended immunizations. Additional prizes include tickets to the Philadelphia Zoo, movies, and local amusement parks.

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.3 million people. For more than 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross's HMO and PPO health care plans have consistently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

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IBC Associates Volunteer for 18th Annual United Way Days of Caring

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

More than 325 Company Employees Participate in Ten Events

Philadelphia, PA - September 17, 2009 - It's exhausting work, but you'll rarely hear complaints from the hundreds of Independence Blue Cross associates who participate in the United Way's annual Days of Caring. They may be tired and even a bit sore the next day from hours spent painting, repairing, and cleaning to make their community a better place, but beaming with the satisfaction that comes with helping others in need.

More than 325 volunteers from the Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Family of Companies are participating in 10 different projects across Philadelphia, parts of New Jersey, and in Florida as part of the 18th annual United Way Days of Caring event held today and on Saturday, September 26. IBC associates are joining more than 3,000 people, including individuals as well as other company employees from throughout the region, who volunteered at 122 Days of Caring projects.

"The United Way Days of Caring brings together thousands of people each year, all with a similar mission to make a tangible difference in their community," said Joseph A. Frick, IBC president and CEO and a regional co-chair for this year's Days of Caring. "It energizes me year after year to see so many of our associates come out and show their commitment and love for their communities and the people who live there in such a meaningful and compassionate way."

IBC associates are volunteering at the following locations. All projects were held on September 17, except for the event at the People's Emergency Center, which will take place on September 26.

American Red Cross, Philadelphia, PA
Boy Scouts of America, Millville, NJ
CARIE,(Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly)
Carousel House, Philadelphia, PA
Cradles to Crayons, Horsham, PA
Kamp Kiddie Keep Well, Edison, NJ
MANNA, Philadelphia, PA
Peoples' Emergency Center, Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Senior Center, Philadelphia, PA
Piccoli Recreation Center, Philadelphia, PA
St. Catherine Laboure Manor, Jacksonville, FL

Independence Blue Cross has been involved with the Days of Caring events for nearly 15 years. Last year, hundreds of IBC associates joined 11 Days of Caring projects and completed work in a day that would have taken agencies several days, weeks, or even months to finish.

For the last five years, IBC associates have also donated more than $1 million during the annual two-week fall United Way fundraising campaign. With the company's dollar-for-dollar match, IBC has been a corporate leader in United Way giving. Since 1994, IBC and its associates have donated nearly $25 million to the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

About Independence Blue Cross

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Independence Blue Cross Takes Steps to Prepare for H1N1 and Seasonal Flu

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

Insurer to cover swine flu vaccine administration

Philadelphia, PA - September 14, 2009 - In an effort to help keep members healthy and flu-free this year, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) will offer coverage for the administration costs of the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine when it becomes available. In addition, IBC will continue to cover seasonal flu vaccine.

"At Independence Blue Cross, we want our members and customers to be prepared with everything they need to know about H1N1 and seasonal flu to keep their families and employees healthy," says I. Steven Udvarhelyi, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer for Independence Blue Cross. "We are monitoring the spread of the H1N1 virus and seasonal flu, and will continue to follow the precautions and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and federal, state, and local governments."

H1N1 Flu Coverage Information

IBC will cover the administration of the H1N1 flu vaccine for all members when the vaccine is administered by an eligible provider. IBC based its decision to cover H1N1 vaccine administration upon the formal recommendations recently announced by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. This committee recommended that first priority be given by those administering the vaccine to five key populations:

Pregnant women.
People who live with or care for children younger than six months of age.
Health care and emergency services personnel.
Children and young adults from 6 months to 24 years.
People age 25 through 64 who have chronic medical conditions that increase the risk of complications from influenza infection.

The CDC's Advisory Committee also provided guidance regarding high-risk groups that should be targeted in the event of a significant shortage of vaccine, as well as recommendations for the general population if the supply of vaccine exceeds the needs of the target groups.

H1N1 flu is believed to spread in the same way that seasonal flu spreads, mainly through coughing and sneezing by infected persons. It may also spread by touching infected objects and then touching the nose or mouth.

Symptoms of the H1N1 virus can mimic those of the seasonal flu and may include sudden fever and cough with muscle aches, fatigue, and lack of appetite. Many people with this infection also have a runny nose, sore throat, and watery eyes, and some have nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Despite similar symptoms, people need to protect themselves against H1N1 and seasonal flu with different vaccines. The CDC has stated that the H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine.

Seasonal Flu Coverage Information

IBC will cover the administration of seasonal flu vaccine for members whose medical benefit plan provides coverage for vaccines administered by eligible providers. As a reminder, IBC urges those who are ill to take the following steps to help prevent spreading flu viruses to others:

Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading the illness to others.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away after using it.
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Seek care if you have flu-like symptoms.

Information is Key

As an additional preventive reminder, this fall IBC will launch its annual flu vaccine campaign delivering thousands of phone calls and postcards to urge some of its most vulnerable members to get their seasonal flu vaccine. To learn more about H1N1 and other Facts about the Flu please visit IBC's extensive web-based flu information center. Members can confirm their specific benefits by calling the number listed on their insurance card or 1-800-ASK-BLUE.

IBC bases immunization policy decisions on recommendations issued by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and other nationally recognized organizations. The CDC's Advisory Committee is composed of 15 experts in fields associated with immunization who provide advice and guidance to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC on the most effective means to prevent diseases that can be contained through vaccine.

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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Independence Blue Cross Announces its Second Year Sponsorship of Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

IBC continues partnership with American Diabetes Association to fight this devastating disease

Philadelphia, PA - September 9, 2009 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) today announces its second year sponsorship of the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes. The family-friendly, 5K walk is the ADA's signature fundraising event.

The number of diabetes cases nationwide increased by 90 percent over the past decade, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This has had a significant impact on the U.S. health system and its costs. In 2008 alone, the estimated direct and indirect cost of diagnosed diabetes was $174 billion. About a third of the people with this disease, or 5.7 million Americans, are not aware they have it, and another 57 million have pre-diabetes - blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not yet in diabetic range. Eleven percent of people in Philadelphia have diabetes, and that's 3% higher than the national average.

"We are proud to serve as the presenting sponsor of Philadelphia's Step Out walk for its second year because so many people in the Philadelphia area have diabetes, including 130,000 of our members," said Joseph A. Frick, president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross. "We partner with the American Diabetes Association for Step Out to help our members, associates, and community get active, become healthier, and learn more about how common diabetes is and what each of us can do to reduce the risk we will become diabetic. That includes exercising, and walking in Step Out is a great start."

As an advocate for preventive care, IBC is the presenting sponsor of Step Out for the second year to convey a clear message: like many chronic conditions, diabetes is possible to better manage, control, and even prevent so that people live healthier lives and reduce the cost of health care. Respected national studies show that commitment to exercise and nutrition is vital for those suffering from diabetes, as well as those who are at risk of developing it. With nearly 200 Step Out walks throughout the nation, IBC hopes the Philadelphia event is an eye-opener for the region about the risks of diabetes.

Last year when more than 2,000 walkers participated in Step Out, the ADA raised nearly $400,000. This year the association hopes to recruit 2,500 walkers and to raise $415,000. The donations are critical to the ADA funding for research, education, and advocacy.

Championing people, programs, and services to help fight diabetes

IBC encourages associates, members, and the community to join the fall walk, and also continues to support its diabetic members through a variety of programs. The ConnectionsSM Health Management Program targets members with diabetes and other chronic conditions through one-on-one support with health coaches. In addition, IBC offers six free nutritional counseling visits and fitness reimbursements for logging time at the gym to help members form or maintain healthy eating habits and exercise routines-both of which can help members better manage, control, and prevent chronic diseases like diabetes.

"IBC's presenting sponsorship of Step Out truly demonstrates their dedication not only to their members who suffer from diabetes and other chronic diseases, but to the family and friends who care for them, and to the entire community," said Russell Moore, ADA executive director of the southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey region. "Step Out is a wonderful event for people across the area to come together and help raise money for a good cause. Each walker and every dollar raised will bring us one step closer to a cure."

Join Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes

Date:	Saturday, October 3, 2009.
Route:	The 5k walk begins and ends at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Participants walk through Center City and down the Schuylkill River Trail.
Registration:	Online at www.stepout.diabetes.org, by phone at 1-888-DIABETES, or in person on the day of event.
Time:	Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:30 a.m.
Activities:	A health festival will be at Eakins Oval in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and will include free health screenings, health information, fitness demonstrations, entertainment, and refreshments.
Fundraising:	Anyone can join! Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes at the event. Those who raise $100 and above before the walk may pick up their ADA Step Out T-shirts at the event registration table.

On October 3 at Step Out and in the year-round fight against diabetes, IBC is here for you every step of the way.

About Independence Blue Cross

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Independence Blue Cross Receives CEO Gold Standard Accreditation

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

Philadelphia, PA - September 8, 2009 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) today announces it has earned CEO Cancer Gold Standard^TM accreditation from the CEO Roundtable on Cancer. This ranking rewards IBC's commitment to taking concrete actions to reduce the cancer risk of employees and their families through screenings, early detection, and healthy changes in lifestyle and in the workplace.

The CEO Roundtable on Cancer is a nonprofit organization of cancer-fighting CEOs founded in 2001 to encourage corporate executives to champion workplace-based efforts to eliminate cancer as a public health threat. To distinguish companies that take steps to reduce cancer risks among their employees, the Roundtable created the CEO Cancer Gold Standard in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and leading health professionals.

"It is important for our organization, as a leading health insurer in our region, to set a positive example for our customers and community," said IBC President and CEO Joseph A. Frick. "Our Gold Standard accreditation recognizes and reinforces our commitment to our associates' wellness. This distinction is both professionally and personally meaningful to me. I urge other corporations to join us in embracing a corporate culture of wellness and to take steps toward Gold Standard certification."

The CEO Cancer Gold Standard calls on companies to evaluate their health benefits and corporate culture and take extensive, tangible actions in five key areas of health and wellness to fight cancer in the workplace. To earn Gold Standard accreditation, a company must establish programs to reduce cancer risk by: discouraging tobacco use, encouraging physical activity, promoting healthy diet and nutrition, detecting cancer at its earliest stages, and providing access to quality care, including participation in clinical trials.

In addition to providing a tobacco-free workplace, a health-conscious menu in its cafeteria, and a fitness center at its headquarters, IBC offers an associate wellness program, I Feel Great!, which provides resources to support the health of associates. The company actively promotes its Connections^SM Health Management Program that encourages associates to take an active role in their health and helps those who have everyday health concerns or serious chronic conditions. IBC also enhanced its employee health benefits to cover smoking cessation medication.

"Our Gold Standard certification acknowledges the dedication of Independence Blue Cross to cancer prevention, which begins with building the health of its employees and family members and extends to strengthening the wellbeing of its members and the broader community," said William C. Weldon, chairperson and chief executive officer of Johnson & Johnson, who chairs the Roundtable.

Other organizations that have earned Gold Standard ranking in the Philadelphia region include AstraZeneca, CIGNA, Fox Chase Cancer Center, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Virtua Health, and The Wistar Institute.

Nationwide, more than 40 companies have earned Gold Standard distinction, including the American Cancer Society, the American Legacy Foundation, C-Change, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Duke Medicine, Edelman, Enzon Pharmaceuticals, GHI (an EmblemHealth company), Hogan & Hartson, Jenner & Block, The Lance Armstrong Foundation, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company, Minot State University, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, The National Cancer Institute, Novartis, The Oncology Nursing Society, OSI Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, PhRMA, PPD, Quintiles Transnational, sanofi-aventis, SAS Institute, The University of North Dakota, US Oncology, Valeant Pharmaceuticals, and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.

About Independence Blue Cross

About the CEO Roundtable on Cancer

The CEO Roundtable on Cancer was founded in 2001, when former President George H.W. Bush challenged a group of executives to "do something bold and venturesome about cancer within your own corporate families." The CEOs responded with the CEO Cancer Gold Standard encouraging its widespread adoption in workplaces across the country. For more information on the CEO Cancer Gold Standard^TM and the accreditation process, please visit www.CancerGoldStandard.org.

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IBC President and CEO Joseph A. Frick Participates in Life Sciences and Health Care Summit

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

Philadelphia, PA - August 19, 2009 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) today participated in a summit hosted by Cherokee Pharmaceuticals in Riverside, PA, to discuss the importance of the life sciences and the health care industry in the state's economy, and the impact national health care reform is likely to have on these important business sectors.

IBC's president and CEO Joseph A. Frick joined corporate leaders from the Milken Institute, Temple University School of Medicine, Merck Manufacturing Division, Geisinger Medical System, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, University of Pittsburg Medical Center, and Cherokee Pharmaceuticals for a panel discussion moderated by NBC 10s Renee Chenault Fattah.

The event, which was attended by more than 200 business executives from across the state, featured two keynote speakers: Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey, Jr. and Dr. Howard Koh, assistant U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services. Dr. Koh framed the key issues in the national health care debate.

Senator Casey is a member of the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee, one of five committees in Congress drafting health care reform legislation. He discussed his strong support of reform and said he favors reform legislation that includes a new government-run plan, called a "public option," to increase choice for consumers.

Senator Casey also outlined the economic challenges currently faced by many of Pennsylvania's rural communities, and said that the decline of life sciences and health industries has been a contributing factor. He urged revitalizing these industries to grow the economy in rural communities.

Frick said that IBC fully supports health care reform that reduces the cost of health care, improves quality, and provides coverage to more Americans. Health plans are already leading the way to improve the quality and contain the cost of health care by simplifying administration, focusing on disease management and health prevention, and expanding health information technology, he said.

"The United States spends more on health care than other industrialized nations, but we're not any healthier for it," said Frick. "That's why we've come to the table with hospitals, doctors, and other stakeholders to support health care reform. We need to fix what's broken without breaking what is working."

"Without question, health care reform will have a significant affect on the future vitality of our region," Frick said. He noted that while southeastern Pennsylvania is an urban area, it is a vibrant region for the life sciences and health care industry and that 15 percent of all economic activity and one out of every six jobs in Greater Philadelphia can be traced back to the life sciences or health care.

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About Cherokee Pharmaceuticals

Cherokee Pharmaceuticals LLC, a PRWT Services, Inc. company, is a bulk chemical manufacturing and distribution company producing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and providing fermentation capabilities, as well as process development, analytical laboratory testing, fine chemical sourcing, and supply-chain value-added services. Cherokee is the country's first and only minority-owned outsourced API provider.

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Misuse Of Pain Medication Draws Heightened Concerns

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

Independence Blue Cross puts patient safety first by focusing on appropriate narcotics use

Philadelphia, PA - August 17, 2009 - Warnings by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and increasing misuse and overdoses are telling reminders of the dangers pain medications can present. A recent study* reveals that one in 10 high school students have tried opioid drugs and the prevalence of young adults using narcotics for non-medical use is the highest in 15 years. As an advocate for patient safety, Independence Blue Cross (IBC), in conjunction with its pharmacy benefits manager, FutureScripts®, has launched a medication safety program to expand on safe prescribing procedures for narcotic drugs.

The new program can save lives by identifying potentially dangerous drug interactions, and may also reduce medical costs when the appropriate medication is prescribed and used properly. It can also help to ensure that underlying medical problems are diagnosed and properly treated to avoid the long-term dependency on pain medication.

Since the late 1990's, the abuse, misuse, and overdose of prescription drugs have increased significantly. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, each year more than 20,000 people in the United States die from drug overdose-many accidental, and the most common drugs cited are opioids, or narcotics like hydrocodone and oxycodone.

"Claims data showed multiple instances where our members were being prescribed up to ten different pain killer drugs from three or more doctors within a short period of time," said Dr. Jennifer Dragoun, a medical director for FutureScripts who manages this program. "In reviewing these cases, it was clear action was necessary to ensure patient safety."

IBC and FutureScripts began implementing the new patient safety program in May, and the medical directors and pharmacists focus on the following types of clinical situations:

instances where members are taking multiple, similar medications, in some instances prescribed by two or more doctors who are unaware that another physician has prescribed a similar drug;
instances where members' claims show they may be taking too much of one drug. Excessive quantities of narcotic pain medication may have severe side effects and overdose can result in death;
instances where a dependency concern may need attention, which can result in approved coverage of medications for a limited time while the member and his or her physician pursue alternative treatment;
instances where a combination of prescribed medications contain doses of acetaminophen (commonly known as Tylenol). An FDA panel recently made strong recommendations regarding the damaging effects acetaminophen may have on the liver if too much is taken.

In any of these circumstances, the member is notified about the unsafe prescription drug use and its potential dangers, with an explanation that changes may have to be made for their pharmacy plan to cover future prescriptions. In certain circumstances, an IBC or FutureScripts medical director will discuss the patient situation with the member's doctor to resolve the matter.

Dr. Dragoun explained that some of the potential causes for recent increases in prescribing and misuse of pain medications are:

members seeing multiple doctors, each of whom prescribe drugs for them, not knowing that similar narcotics are being prescribed by other doctors;
an increase in substance abuse and drug dependency issues;
acquisition of narcotic drugs or prescriptions for sale to others.

"Our goal is to put our members' safety first and protect them from the dangers of powerful drugs that may not be taken appropriately." said Paul N. Urick, R.Ph., senior vice president of FutureScripts. He added that while extra precautions help to ensure patient safety, they also help to control health care costs for employers, members and the community.

Because IBC understands members may have questions about getting the medications they need, or difficulty managing chronic pain, health coaches are available around the clock to answer questions, help members formulate the right questions for their doctors to decide on treatment plans, and refer members to case management programs to address underlying problems or mental health providers to address dependency.

"We're pleased to add this program as a complement to our drug utilization review programs, with the expectation that this too will generate positive results," said Dr. Richard Snyder, senior vice president of Health Services at IBC. "It's an extremely high priority at IBC to continuously improve the quality of patient care for our members."

* Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, August 2009

Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For more than 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross's HMO and PPO health care plans have consistently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

FutureScripts
FutureScripts, an independent pharmacy benefits management company, headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, helps employers and health plans manage rising prescription drug costs without sacrificing quality coverage. FutureScripts has built a comprehensive national pharmacy network of more than 60,000 retail pharmacies, including independent pharmacies as well as all of the major pharmacy retail chains. For more information, call FutureScripts corporate headquarters at 1-888-678-7012 or go to www.futurescripts.com.

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Misuse Of Pain Medication Draws Heightened Concerns

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

Independence Blue Cross puts patient safety first by focusing on appropriate narcotics use

IBC and FutureScripts began implementing the new patient safety program in May, and the medical directors and pharmacists focus on the following types of clinical situations:

instances where members are taking multiple, similar medications, in some instances prescribed by two or more doctors who are unaware that another physician has prescribed a similar drug;
instances where members' claims show they may be taking too much of one drug. Excessive quantities of narcotic pain medication may have severe side effects and overdose can result in death;
instances where a dependency concern may need attention, which can result in approved coverage of medications for a limited time while the member and his or her physician pursue alternative treatment;
instances where a combination of prescribed medications contain doses of acetaminophen (commonly known as Tylenol). An FDA panel recently made strong recommendations regarding the damaging effects acetaminophen may have on the liver if too much is taken.

Dr. Dragoun explained that some of the potential causes for recent increases in prescribing and misuse of pain medications are:

members seeing multiple doctors, each of whom prescribe drugs for them, not knowing that similar narcotics are being prescribed by other doctors;
an increase in substance abuse and drug dependency issues;
acquisition of narcotic drugs or prescriptions for sale to others.

* Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, August 2009

Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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National Breastfeeding Awareness Month Promotes Breastfeeding Benefits for Moms and Babies

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

Independence Blue Cross offers incentives for lactating mothers

Philadelphia, PA - August 10, 2009 - Breastfeeding reduces infant mortality by 21 percent and offers increased health benefits according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), yet only 54 percent of new mothers in the Philadelphia area attempt to breastfeed their newborns. August is National Breastfeeding Awareness month and Independence Blue Cross (IBC) takes this opportunity to remind members of its support and incentives to breastfeed their newborns.

"IBC is proud to offer reimbursements through our Baby BluePrints program toward breastfeeding tools and support because breastfeeding results in improved health for mothers and babies," said Dr. Cathy Dratman, medical director at Independence Blue Cross. "Breastfeeding is also much more cost effective than purchasing formula. The more information mothers have on the topic, the better decisions they can make."

Breastfeeding can also:

Develop a bond of closeness and trust between mother and infant;
Save families a significant amount of money over the course of the child's first year;
Reduce cases of ear infections, diarrhea, bacterial meningitis, allergies, and obesity in infants;
Lower risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer for mothers;
Help mothers return to their pre-pregnancy weight faster;
Decrease costs for programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC);
Lower annual health care costs by $3.6 billion in the U.S. if every new mother attempted to breastfeed their baby. (AAP)

Through IBC's Baby BluePrints^SM program, members can receive up to $50 back for taking a childbirth or breastfeeding class, $50 back on the purchase of a breast pump, and $100 towards support from a lactation consultant, a healthcare provider who helps new mothers learn to properly breastfeeding their newborns. In certain acute medical situations, IBC covers rental costs for hospital grade breast pumps for nursing mothers.

In addition, Baby BluePrints offers free telephone-based counseling to help if moms-to-be or members of their households are trying to quit smoking. The program helps women stay healthy, confident, and comfortable throughout and after pregnancy. Since wellness is a primary focus at IBC, the insurer continues to promote healthy choices during and after pregnancy by offering breastfeeding reimbursements. For more information on this program, go to the Healthy Lifestyles^SM webpage or call 1-800-ASK-BLUE.

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For more than 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross's HMO and PPO health care plans have consistently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans.

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