IBC Press Releases

IBC Announces President and CEO Joseph A. Frick to Retire December 2010 and Assume New Board Roles

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST

Transition to successor Daniel J. Hilferty underway

Philadelphia, PA - August 31, 2010 - Joseph A. Frick, will retire effective December 15, 2010, after serving nearly six years as president and chief executive officer of Independence Blue Cross (IBC) and 18 years with IBC, the company announced today. Frick will maintain a leadership role with IBC, serving as a vice chair of its Board of Directors and leading a newly created board committee that will focus on strategic partnerships and initiatives.

Daniel J. Hilferty was named to succeed Frick as president and chief executive officer, also effective December 15. Hilferty has served as executive vice president and president of IBC's Health Markets since January 1, 2010.

The company said today's announcement is the next step in a comprehensive planning process initiated more than a year ago by Frick with IBC board chair Walter D'Alessio and the Executive Committee of the board to ensure a thoughtful, progressive leadership succession plan. That process began earlier this year with the replacement of the company's chief operating officer position, formerly held by now retired Christopher D. Butler, with two new roles: an executive vice president of Health Services to strengthen focus on IBC members' health and an executive vice president and president of Health Markets to better serve customers and to enhance consumers' capability to manage their health care. Since January 1, these two new positions have been held by I. Steven Udvarhelyi, M.D. and Daniel J. Hilferty, respectively.

"There are so many things I am proud to have been a part of during my 18-year tenure with Independence Blue Cross," said Frick, "but perhaps the most significant is that our company's brand recognition is second to none and we are regarded as a trusted, respected leader in the Philadelphia community. That is a testament to the exceptional talent and depth of experience of our dedicated and resourceful associates who are committed to making a difference every day in the health of our members, and to our Board of Directors and our leadership team."

"It has been a true privilege and meaningful, transformational experience to lead Independence Blue Cross," Frick added. "My retirement will not change my steadfast commitment to this great organization and its mission - to provide access to high quality, affordable health care and to enhance the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve. I am very pleased that the Board has asked me to continue to serve IBC in a new capacity as a vice chair of our board and as the head of a new board committee. Thanks to the well-orchestrated succession plan we carefully prepared with our board, Dan, IBC, and I are ready for this change."

"For the last six years, Joe has led IBC through many significant changes in our company, market, and industry with his characteristic integrity, consistent demand for facts and data, passion for strategic planning, complete commitment to our customers and business partners, and deep respect for our associates," said board chair D'Alessio. "Joe became CEO in 2005 following the untimely death of Fred DiBona. As if sensing the changes that were coming in our industry, Joe saw a need for a new discipline around planning for the future. He instilled that practice and process throughout the organization, beginning in 2006 with IBC's 2010 Strategic Plan. With Joe's background in human resources and commitment to talent development, we have developed an exceptional senior team with a very strong bench supporting them - a team well prepared to continue to successfully navigate IBC through increasing competition locally and transformational changes in the health care industry nationally."

Frick, 58, was named president and chief executive officer of IBC in January 2005. Prior to that, he served for eight years as IBC's senior vice president of human resources and administration, responsible for corporate planning and business development, as well as human resources and administrative services. In 1993, Frick joined IBC as vice president of Human Resources. Before joining IBC, Frick held several management positions with increasing responsibility at Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc. (1987 to 1993), which published The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News, and at Westinghouse Electric Corporation (1974 to 1987).

In October 2008, Frick completed a two-year term as chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves on the boards of the Chamber and its CEO Council for Growth. In addition, he is a member of the boards at La Salle University and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Frick is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Committee of Seventy and he is currently serving as the United Way 2010 Campaign Chair for southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationally, he serves on the boards of directors of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) and America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), and chairs the Brand Committee of the BCBSA. He is also a member of the CEO Roundtable on Cancer, a nonprofit organization comprised of action-oriented chief executives committed to fighting cancer.

"Frankly," said IBC board chair D'Alessio, "we have a best of all worlds scenario here: in Joe, a seasoned business leader and IBC executive who will continue to serve the company through board posts, and in Dan, a respected industry leader with a track record of building successful companies and more than 25 years of experience in health care, government affairs, communications and education. Despite extraordinarily challenging economic times, IBC has performed very well in 2010, we expect continued sound financial performance, and we will continue to move forward with a clearly defined strategic direction under the capable leadership of Dan Hilferty."

In January 2010, Hilferty, 53, became executive vice president and president of IBC's Health Markets, after serving 13 years as president and CEO of the AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies, which is jointly owned by IBC and Mercy Health System. Under Hilferty's leadership, AmeriHealth Mercy grew into the largest organization of Medicaid managed care plans in the United States, touching 6.5 million lives in 14 states across the nation. As head of IBC's Health Markets, he has overseen sales and marketing, and had profit-and-loss responsibility for IBC's core Blue Cross business in the five-county Philadelphia region, including Personal Choice and Keystone health plans. In addition, he has overseen IBC's subsidiary operations: AmeriHealth, which provides health coverage to customers outside the five-county area; Independence Administrators and AmeriHealth Administrators, which provide health benefits administration to self-funded organizations with more than 100 employees in the five-county area and nationally; Comp Services, which offers administrative services to self-insured workers' compensation programs in the tri-state area; and AmeriHealth Casualty, which offers workers' compensation insurance, life and disability insurance, third party claims administration, and disability management in the tri-state area and Maryland.

"I have known and worked closely with Dan throughout my tenure at IBC, and I am absolutely convinced of his ability to successfully lead this organization with integrity, sound judgment, and wisdom, particularly as health care reform rolls out over the next few years," said Frick. "Having partnered with Dan on complex initiatives this year, I have been even more impressed with his concern for the needs of our customers and business partners and his passion for our mission to provide access to high quality, affordable health care. I am certain that Dan will step into his new role with a vision for the future, an abundance of energy, and a focus on driving for success."

"Spending the last eight months at IBC, working side by side with Joe and the tremendous IBC team, getting to know associates and customers, and contributing to the development and implementation of our strategic plan has been the perfect launching pad for my new role as president and CEO," said Hilferty. "I am thankful to Joe and the board for their foresight in creating this orderly transition, and I am excited about our company's future."

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 3.3 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' 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.

Independence Blue Cross Continues Support for Pennsylvania's Active Schools Program

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST

Funding for students in grades K-6 aims to get kids exercising 30 minutes a day

Philadelphia, PA - August 26, 2010 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) is continuing the partnership it launched last year with the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Education to support the state's Active Schools fitness program, which aims to reduce childhood obesity and increase student exercise. IBC will provide $80,000 in funding to eight regional elementary schools that the state has selected to receive grants. Each school will receive $10,000. Last year, IBC contributed to the program to support 10 middle school fitness initiatives.

The Department of Health will also provide each school with a $5,000 grant through the federal Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant. Funding is for the 2010-2011 school year.

"The unfortunate fact is that more people are becoming obese each year. Unless we take some serious and immediate action, especially with our youngsters who are increasingly at risk, we're not going to see an end to this frightening epidemic anytime soon," said Joseph A. Frick, president and chief executive officer of Independence Blue Cross. "Active Schools programs are fun and challenging, and best of all, they help make exercise a daily habit for kids, one that will hopefully last a lifetime."

More Pennsylvanians are obese than the national average, according to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nearly 32 percent of students in Pennsylvania are overweight or obese, a statistic that worries educators, health professionals, and parents, among others.

Through the statewide program, students in participating schools will increase their organized school physical activity to 30 minutes daily instead of twice a week like most other schools. Last year, schools used the grant funds to help buy exercise equipment, such as HOPSports, which combines fitness with video and music, and lets students work out at their own pace and ability.

The following schools will receive Active Schools funding from IBC for the 2010-2011 school year:

Alliance for Progress Charter School in Philadelphia county
Delcroft Elementary School in Delaware county
Harris Elementary in Delaware county
Sharon Hill Elementary in Delaware county
Darby Township Elementary in Delaware county
Kindergarten Center in Delaware county
Woodlyn Elementary in Delaware county
Myers Elementary and Elkins Park Upper Elementary in Montgomery county

In addition to its support of Active Schools, IBC has several other programs and initiatives to address student health, including:

Health eTools for Schools, a web-based application that provides educational resources and cutting-edge technology, helps schools facilitate health policy requirements, enable better nutrition, and increase physical activity planning for children. To date, more than 384,000 students in more than 700 area schools are enrolled in Health eTools for Schools.
Adolescent immunization program encourages children 11 - 13 to get the important, recommended immunizations they need to maintain good health through targeted efforts such as sending annual immunization reminders to parents of adolescents. More than 72,800 families received these mailings last year.
Good 2 B Me is IBC's latest entertaining and educational online resource for children ages 11 to 17. This interactive tool helps children to learn how to make smart choices and live healthier.

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

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Catalyst Health Solutions and Independence Blue Cross Announce Agreement on Sale of Pharmacy Benefit Management Company FutureScripts

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST

Companies Agree to 10-Year Pharmacy Benefit Management Contract

Rockville, MD and Philadelphia, PA - August 4, 2010 - Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc., (NASDAQ:CHSI) and Independence Blue Cross (IBC) announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Catalyst to acquire IBC's pharmacy benefit management subsidiaries, FutureScripts, LLC and FutureScripts Secure, LLC (FutureScripts), for $225 million, which includes the value of a future tax benefit for Catalyst based on the structure of the transaction.

FutureScripts provides pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services to approximately 1 million members and manages over 14 million prescriptions annually. Following the closing of the FutureScripts acquisition, Catalyst will manage IBC's pharmacy benefits under the terms of a new 10-year contract.

"We are gaining a superb management team in FutureScripts and our combined expertise and best-in-class solutions will provide immediate value to our clients and members," said David T. Blair, Chief Executive Officer of Catalyst. "We look forward to collaborating with IBC and delivering integrated health solutions that improve care while lowering costs."

"Catalyst will provide IBC access to additional pharmacy management and contracting capabilities, as well as expanded sales and marketing resources, enhancing our ability to bring value to our customers," stated Joseph A. Frick, president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross. "Catalyst has an outstanding reputation and is committed to transparency, service excellence, and a locally-based approach to managing pharmacy benefits that emphasizes integrated management of medical and pharmacy benefits and allows for customized, lowest cost solutions."

Under the terms of the agreements, Catalyst will maintain the FutureScripts brand, retain FutureScripts' staff, and provide IBC a full complement of services, including: claims adjudication, member services, network administration, formulary management and rebate contracting, mail and specialty drug management, clinical services, data reporting and analytics, as well as client service and sales support.

The transaction is expected to close in 2010, subject to customary closing conditions and at the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. Cain Brothers and Company, LLC, acted as IBC's financial advisor in this transaction.

Catalyst will discuss the transaction during its second quarter investor call scheduled for August 5, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time.

About Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc.

Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc., the fourth largest publicly traded PBM in the U.S., is built on strong, innovative principles in the management of prescription drug benefits and provides an unbiased, client-centered philosophy resulting in industry-leading client retention rates. The Company's subsidiaries include Catalyst Rx, a full-service pharmacy benefit manager serving more than 7 million lives in the United States and Puerto Rico; HospiScript Services, LLC, one of the largest providers of pharmacy benefit management services to the hospice industry; and Immediate Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., a fully integrated prescription mail service facility in Avon Lake, Ohio. The Company's clients include self-insured employers, state and local governments, managed care organizations, unions, hospices, third-party administrators and individuals. Additional information about Catalyst Health Solutions can be found at www.chsi.com.

About Independence Blue Cross

About FutureScripts

FutureScripts and FutureScripts Secure, independent pharmacy benefits management companies, headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, help 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. FutureScripts has developed management tools to ensure access to appropriate prescription drugs, while developing programs and services designed to help members save time and money. FutureScripts Secure supports Medicare lines of business. Additional information about FutureScripts can be found at www.futurescripts.com

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that might materially affect our results, particularly those risks referred to in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, under "Item 1A. Risk Factors." Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and uncertainties that may affect our business. Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc., does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or other developments.

Source: Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc., and Independence Blue Cross

Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc.
Hai Tran, Chief Financial Officer
301-548-2900
htran@chsi.com

Independence Blue Cross.
Elizabeth Williams
Vice President of Corporate & Public Affairs
215-241-2220
Liz.williams@ibx.com

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IBC Hosts United Way 'Stuff the Bus' Event to Collect School Supplies for Homeless Children

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST

Philadelphia, PA - August 4, 2010 - A backpack filled with notebooks, pencils, pens, and erasers are just ordinary school supplies to most kids, but to a homeless child those few items can be precious, helping to bridge the gap between fitting in and feeling different.

As one of the sponsors of the fourth annual United Way "Stuff the Bus" campaign, which runs from June 21 to August 20, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) is hosting an event today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to collect school supplies that will go to homeless children living in shelters in Philadelphia, Delaware, Chester, and Montgomery counties.

The event, held at Independence Blue Cross headquarters at 1901 Market Street, is being coordinated by the Blue Crew, IBC's corporate volunteer group, and staffed by more than 40 IBC high school and college summer interns. The students will be collecting and sorting school supplies donated by Independence Blue Cross employees, neighboring businesses, and the community.

The supplies will be brought to the United Way and included with thousands of other donations to be loaded on school buses and delivered to the children on August 24. The United Way aims to deliver 5,000 backpacks filled with supplies this year to 56 shelters before the first day of school, surpassing last year's goal by 1,500 backpacks.

"A good education is one of the most important things we can do for our children to ensure they grow up to live independent and productive lives," said Joseph A. Frick, the 2010 United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania campaign chair. "We're proud to be part of such an important community-wide initiative that gives children basic essentials and helps them start school on the right foot."

More children living in homeless shelters

Sadly, there are more children living in homeless shelters every year. In the Philadelphia region, about 10,000 kids wake up in a shelter each morning. As housing costs continue to outpace wages, more families are at risk of becoming homeless. The stress of this situation can hit children especially hard. Studies show that 74 percent of homeless children worry about not having a place to live and 87 percent worry that something bad will happen to their families.

"We're committed to helping kids go to school ready to learn and feel good about themselves and their futures," said Jill Michal, president and chief executive officer of the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania "Something as simple as having the right supplies in a clean new backpack can work wonders for a child's esteem and willingness to work hard."

Stuff the Bus collections

Through donations and the help of volunteers in our community, Stuff the Bus raises money and collects items such as three-ring binders, loose leaf-paper, spiral notebooks, pencils, pens, and erasers. An average backpack with supplies costs approximately $25. The United Way prepares two different backpacks - for grades K-8 and grades 9-12 - which appropriately vary in style, size, and content.

For more information about United Way Stuff the Bus, to make a donation, or volunteer to help, visit www.uwsepa.org/.

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

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Independence Blue Cross Hires Susan Larkin as Vice President of Account Management

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST

Philadelphia, PA - August 3, 2010 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) today announced that Susan Larkin has joined the company as vice president of Account Management. She reports to Linda Taylor, senior vice president and chief marketing executive, and will lead a seasoned team that focuses on account management and retention for existing IBC accounts.

Most recently, Larkin was vice president at Gallagher Benefits Services, the employee benefits division of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Prior to that, she was a principal at Brokerage Professionals Inc. where she led the healthcare consulting practice. A business leader in sales and account management, Larkin brings twenty years experience in the healthcare industry, providing creative benefit strategies for public and private sector clients.

"Susan is well-known and respected throughout the Philadelphia benefits community, and we are very excited to have her on board with us at IBC," said Taylor. "We invited her to join our leadership team at IBC because she is held in high regard among her past accounts and adds value to every business relationship she drives. And to boot, she is already very familiar with our products and services."

"It is both an exciting and challenging time in the healthcare industry," commented Larkin. "With multi-faceted experience as a consultant, program architect, and plan administrator, I view my new position with IBC as a unique opportunity to utilize my professional expertise. I am looking forward to making a difference in a dynamic organization that is an industry leader, and helping our customer groups offer their members benefits packages that are best for their needs."

Larkin will lead a staff of account managers and representatives whose goal it is to retain and expand existing business through quality account service. She and her team will identify new opportunities to offer superior account management to IBC's large local, national, health and welfare, education, and federal employee accounts.

"I believe that strong relationships and excellent customer service mean everything in this business," Larkin added, "so I'm eager to roll up my sleeves and get to work with the account management group and our clients to help reinforce the value of the Blue brand throughout our region."

Larkin has a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Widener University. She resides in Media with her husband, Pat, and family.

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 3.3 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 is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit www.ibx.com.

IBC Supports Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, 'Adopts' Local Athletes

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST

Athletes from across the state compete in National Special Olympic Games July 18 - 23

Philadelphia, PA - July 16, 2010 - Independence Blue Cross is supporting Special Olympics Pennsylvania athletes who are competing in the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games in Lincoln, Nebraska, July 18 - 23. Independence Blue Cross volunteers will join the sendoff festivities for the athletes and coaches at Widener University on July 16 at 5 p.m. in preparation for the teams' departure for the Games on July 17.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) is an official partner of Special Olympics North America. In collaboration with BCBSA's national partnership, Independence Blue Cross has "adopted" 18 Special Olympics athletes from the five-county Philadelphia region who will be competing in the National Games in several events, including soccer, bocce, track and field, aquatic, and bowling.

"We are pleased to support our Pennsylvania Special Olympics team and applaud these talented, courageous, and dedicated athletes whose competitive spirit and is an inspiration to us all," said Joseph A. Frick, Independence Blue Cross president and chief executive officer. "We wish them the best of luck at the National Games and know they will represent our region and state with pride."

For many years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies such as Independence Blue Cross have joined with local Special Olympics programs across the United States. This local support helps to fund events, equipment, transportation and other necessities for competition, in addition to initiatives in health, education, athlete leadership development and support for families.

Independence Blue Cross associates have volunteered through the company's Blue Crew corporate volunteer program in many Special Olympics events over the past years. In addition, Independence Blue Cross has contributed to numerous Special Olympic events and activities.

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

About Special Olympics Pennsylvania

Special Olympics Pennsylvania provides year-round training and competition in 22 Olympic-type sports to more than 20,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities or closely related developmental disabilities.

With sports at the core, Special Olympics is the world's largest movement dedicated to promoting respect, acceptance, inclusion and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities. With programming in the areas of health, youth and education, family support, research and policy change, Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continued opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and their communities.

For more information about how you can "Be a fan" of Special Olympics Pennsylvania, visit www.specialolympicspa.org.

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IBC Launches Personal Health Record, Empowering Members To Strive For Optimal Health

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST

New electronic features track medical history and offer the member a snapshot view of their health

Philadelphia, PA - July 8, 2010 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) now offers its members more personalized online information about their health - as the amazon.com experience is to the savvy shopper, the ibxpress.com experience is to the smart health care consumer. Personal health information began to flow into members' electronic health records this month-available through ibxpress.com, the company's member website.

Using the Personal Health Record (PHR), members can now combine their own information about their health history, with IBC's claims data, building a more complete picture of their health to make informed decisions with their doctors about their care.

The passage of health care reform further emphasizes the importance of individuals taking accountability for their health and being proactive in their care and treatments. As more emphasis is placed on preventing illness and disease to help manage health care costs, now, more than ever, the critical role of consumers and the connection between their behavior and staying well is pivotal.

"We are proud to further empower our members with the next step in health technology, to better equip them as health care consumers, and to help them stay organized and active in their medical care," said Daniel Hilferty, president of health markets for Independence Blue Cross. "The new Personal Health Record is free of charge and puts all our members' health info in one place, broadening IBC's electronic tools, while helping members strive for optimal health, which results in better quality of life and medical cost savings for everyone."

"Members can now combine their health information with data that we store about their past care, treatments, lab tests, medications, and any hospital or emergency room visits," said Linda Taylor, chief marketing executive of Independence Blue Cross. "Since, for many of us, busy lives and hectic schedules make it hard to remember when we last had important preventive care like a mammogram or a flu shot, IBC now provides members with a PHR, an easy-to-access, secure place to keep their personal health data."

IBC's PHR combines available data from the member's medical history with data the member reports to provide a more comprehensive health story. Our members play a key part in creating their very own PHR, since they have additional health information about their medications, allergies, past surgeries, or treatments, to complement the medical claims, test results and prescription drug information that IBC will add to the members' PHR, resulting in a robust tool that members can share with their current doctors and keep handy for their reference.

"Data-loaded PHRs, further enhanced when members add more information, are expected to improve the quality of care that our members receive and increase patient safety overall," said Richard Snyder, M.D., chief medical officer at IBC. "When doctors have a more complete picture of the patient's medical history, they have a broader base of information from which to make treatment recommendations, helping the member get the best possible care."

Snyder explains that sometimes the member may not think to mention every medication she is taking or every doctor she is seeing, when in fact, this could be critical information that helps her doctor offer higher quality care. This is especially true during a health emergency when the urgency of the situation can be distracting. In a similar way, a PHR print-out can also help doctors identify possibly harmful drug interactions.

The PHR is the latest addition to IBC's online consumer tools that integrate health and prescription drug information to help members become well-informed about their health. PHRs can't be ruined by a coffee spill. They can't be lost to fire or flood as with hard copy printed records. Having health data available on file electronically through IBC's secure member website means members have access to their medical history, simply by logging in, wherever they happen to be - on vacation, at work, at home. This can be particularly helpful if the member visits various doctors or needs to change his primary care physician.

"Now, whenever members need to visit a new doctor," Taylor added, "they can show their medical record in one consolidated print-out - a health history at their fingertips, and just one more way IBC is leveraging technology to help our members improve their health."

As part of the newer features offered through ibxpress.com, IBC now targets consumer messaging and education specifically delivered to improve health conditions. For example, members can be sent secure messages regarding important gaps in care (e.g., mammography screening, tests for members with diabetes). This electronic communication is supported by IBC's Clinical Alerts, which are a similar type of notification, but sent to the doctor's office so that before the member arrives for an appointment, the doctor can be alerted to which tests or treatments may be due for the member.

Late last year, IBC launched the enhanced ibxpress.com, in collaboration with WebMD, one of the most recognized brands of health information, to offer a new portfolio of electronic health tools to help members become more actively engaged in their health care process:

health trackers to help members stay on top of their blood pressure, fitness and exercise, blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight levels;
WebMD's symptom checker, which helps a member assess their symptoms and make an informed decision regarding treatment options;
interactive lifestyle improvement programs on nutrition, smoking cessation, exercise, weight management, and stress management;
a treatment cost estimator that helps members estimate costs for hundreds of common conditions, procedures, tests, and health care visits;
a comprehensive Health Encyclopedia, which explains terms in a consumer-friendly manner;
physician and hospital finder tools enable members to find participating providers and compare hospitals by location and quality.

Protecting personal health information is always a top priority with the secure web portal. Members can be confident that their privacy is safeguarded. To begin building their PHRs, members can simply login to ibxpress.com and click on the link near the center of the screen to access the Personal Health Record.

WebMD is an independent company offering online health information and wellness education to Independence Blue Cross members.

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

IBC Offers Waiver or Reduced Waiting Period for Preexisting Conditions on Individual Health Plans

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST

Philadelphia, PA - June 29, 2010 - Beginning July 1, 2010, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) will begin to waive or reduce the waiting period for preexisting conditions on its medically underwritten individual health plans, by giving new individual members credit for prior coverage. This will mean more people can have faster access to covered care for conditions for which they have previously received medical advice or treatment.

"As we move toward the dawn of federal health care reform taking effect, we are proud to proactively reduce or waive the waiting period for our individual members to be treated for preexisting conditions," said Jim O'Connor, director of individual sales for Independence Blue Cross. "We want to help our new members get the coverage they need as soon as we can."

Preexisting conditions are any health conditions for which a member received medical advice or treatment before applying for new insurance coverage. IBC's medically underwritten plans have exclusions for preexisting conditions for the first 12 months of coverage; this is often referred to as a waiting period. Under IBC's HMO plans, any conditions for which a member received medical advice or treatment in the 90 days preceding his enrollment are considered preexisting conditions. For PPO plans, this look-back period is 12 months.

For all of IBC's medically underwritten Personal Choice PPOs and Keystone Health Plan East HMO programs, members who apply and are accepted for coverage beginning July 1, 2010, may be able to waive or reduce the 12-month waiting period for preexisting conditions. There are two ways to qualify:

Blue-to-Blue transfer, when an individual has had active health coverage with any Blue Cross® or Blue Shield® plan for up to 12 months without any break in coverage prior to the requested effective date. The member can receive credit for each month of prior coverage up to the entire waiting period of 12 months. For example, if the member had eight months of Blue Cross® or Blue Shield® plan coverage prior to applying without any break in coverage, they would have those eight months credited toward their waiting period, and would have a four-month waiting period.
Creditable coverage, when an individual has had active coverage with another insurance carrier for at least 18 months without a break in coverage of more than 63 days prior to the current application.

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

New Individual Personal Choice PPO Plans Provide Greater Choice, Low Rates

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST

Independence Blue Cross Offers Five New PPO Options to Individuals in the Region

Philadelphia, PA - June 29, 2010 - Beginning July 1, 2010, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) will offer five new Personal Choice^® PPO plan options for individuals - expanding the range of individual plan choices for health care consumers in the region. These medically underwritten plans are available in three popular formats: copay, deductible and health savings account (HSA) plan designs that enable consumers to choose the type of plan and pricing that fits their specific needs.

"With health care reform passing earlier this year, we're going to see greater focus on individuals taking accountability for their health and being proactive in their care and treatments," said Daniel Hilferty, president of health markets for Independence Blue Cross. "When individuals are covered by health plans from Independence Blue Cross, they are getting coverage that encourages them to be proactive and live a healthy lifestyle."

"These five new Individual PPO plans are available as part of IBC's full spectrum of health insurance plans, and may be most appropriate for younger and healthier members, which happen to be the demographic that has the highest percentage of being uninsured, often simply because they aren't covered by a group plan," said Brett Mayfield, vice president of sales for IBC. He added although these new PPOs are medically underwritten, IBC offers some health care plan option for everyone.

"Like other consumer product lines, we were hearing that our members wanted greater flexibility and affordability," said Linda Taylor, chief marketing executive of Independence Blue Cross. "Some want to have peace of mind that they are covered if they need to be hospitalized, but they want to keep their monthly premiums as low as possible. Others want to be able to pay a low copay for their health care services."

"What really differentiates our five new PPO plans is that they all offer a wide range of health care services and include our signature Healthy Lifestyles^SM reimbursement programs - $150 back per year for fitness clubs fees, $200 back for approved smoking cessation programs and $200 back for approved weight loss programs," Mayfield said. "These are some of the value-add features that help our members make the most of their health benefits, and help them strive for optimal wellness."

Because affordability is a hot button in health care in the current environment, IBC developed these plans to offer premiums to fit many budget-conscious consumers' needs. For example, young males can get coverage for as little as $75 per month with an HSA-qualified plan. With a copay plan, members generally pay a higher monthly premium, but have fixed costs for most health care services like office visits. With IBCs deductible and HSA plans, the monthly premium payment can be held lower because the deductible for more comprehensive services like emergency, hospitalization, and surgery is higher. So these plans are a great option for those who tend to use only the basic medical services.

All of the plans offer access to the BlueCard^® PPO network for comprehensive coverage across the country, but what members pay each month depends, in part, on what they want to spend for health care services.

The new plans offer coverage for preventive care, prescription drug benefits including a money-saving mail order option, x-ray and laboratory services, and 24/7 access to a Health Coach. Health Coaches provide support for everyday or more serious health concerns and can provide information and education when facing medical decisions or treatment options.

"We are pleased to offer new options to help many individuals who may have been going uninsured for too long - those adults who worry every day about what they're going to face if they need health care," said Taylor. "It is our hope that these new health care options and the introduction of the increasingly popular HSA-qualified plans will empower people in our region to take better care of themselves, which ultimately strengthens the health of the community."

Health savings accounts (HSAs) are tax-advantaged savings accounts that can be used to save for health care expenses. Members enrolled in an HSA-qualified health plan may choose to open an HSA though it's not a requirement. However, saving in a HSA offers tax advantages, and allows the member to reimburse himself for copays, coinsurance, and expenses he might incur before reaching his deductible. The member determines how much and how often to contribute to his HSA as long as he doesn't exceed the maximum annual contribution ($3,050 for singles; $6,150 for family). This money, set aside for future health care costs, grows on a tax-advantaged basis, earning tax-free interest, and remains in the HSA from year to year until it is used for health care expenses.

The five new PPO plans are added to IBC's existing line-up of medically underwritten products for individuals; including six different options of Individual Keystone Health Plan East HMO plans. With any of the options, members can feel comfortable they are carrying an Independence Blue Cross card, which is widely accepted for quality health care coverage.

The ibx4you.com website makes it easy for individuals to apply online and get a free quote. Rates are guaranteed for the first six months of coverage, regardless of any rate increases for the individual medically underwritten products.

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

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IBC Joins Innovative National Partnership to Improve the Health of Mothers and Babies

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST

Free mobile health service text4baby provides health tips to pregnant women, new moms

Philadelphia, PA - June 21, 2010 - Today, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) announces its support of, and partnership with, text4baby - a new, free mobile information service providing timely health information to pregnant women and new moms from pregnancy through a baby's first year. Research shows that 90 percent of Americans have a mobile phone and texting is more prevalent among women of childbearing age.

An educational program of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB), text4baby delivers timely health tips by text message to those who need it most. Women who sign up for the free service simply text BABY to 511411 (or BEBE for Spanish) and receive three free text messages each week timed to their due date or baby's date of birth. These messages focus on a variety of topics critical to maternal and child health, including birth defects prevention, immunization, nutrition, seasonal flu, mental health, oral health, and safe sleep. Text4baby messages also connect women to prenatal and infant care services and other resources.

"IBC is excited to be a part of text4baby and to reach more members through the communication channel that they're comfortable using," said Dr. Es Nash, senior medical director at IBC. "Mobile health services have the potential to engage consumers, change patient behavior, and improve health outcomes. We believe that this program can have a measurable impact on maternal and child health in our country."

Each year in the U.S., more than 500,000 babies are born prematurely and an estimated 28,000 children die before their first birthday-signifying a public health crisis. The infant mortality rate in the U.S. is one of the highest in the industrialized world, and for the first time since the 1950s, that rate is on the rise.

"We believe the power of partnership and community can make an incredible difference in women's and children's lives," said Judy Meehan, executive director of the National HMHB Coalition. "Text4baby brings HMHB's mission to life and with the help of our partners, we believe we can be a strong catalyst for change."

IBC encourages pregnant moms to sign up to benefit from the timely health information they can gain from text4baby. IBC also supports pregnant and new mothers through its Baby BluePrints^SM program. Baby BluePrints helps prepare women to welcome their babies by providing prenatal resources and information about each stage of pregnancy and the child's development.

Since wellness is a primary focus at IBC, the insurer continues to promote healthy choices during and after pregnancy by offering breastfeeding reimbursements. 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 supports new mothers with breastfeeding their newborns.

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. For more information on this program, go to the Healthy Lifestyles^SM section of ibx.com or call 1-800-ASK-BLUE.

The text4baby service is made possible through an unprecedented public-private partnership which includes the White House Office on Science and Technology Policy, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Defense Military Health System, Voxiva, CTIA-The Wireless Foundation, Grey Healthcare Group and corporate sponsor Johnson & Johnson. MTV Networks is a media sponsor.

About the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition

The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB) is the only coalition of its kind which acts as a catalyst for change by creating partnerships among community groups, nonprofit organizations, professional associations, businesses and government agencies. The Coalition promotes optimal health for mothers and babies, and works to strengthen families and build healthy communities.

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

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Independence Blue Cross Launches Pediatric Partnership to Combat Childhood Obesity

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST

The Good Health Club Physician Toolkit^SM Newest BCBSA Effort to Curb the Rise in Diabetes

Philadelphia, PA - June 10, 2010 - As part of its ongoing efforts to promote better health among children, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) recently joined forces with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) and Blue plans throughout the nation on a new initiative to tackle childhood obesity and diabetes. IBC launches the Good Health Club Physician Toolkit - new, educational materials designed to foster better communication between pediatricians, their patients, and parents on childhood obesity and diabetes prevention. IBC will distribute the innovative toolkit to more than 250 pediatric offices in its physician network throughout southeastern Pennsylvania in time for back-to-school doctor visits prior to the 2010-2011 school year.

"We are very pleased to partner with pediatricians in our local region and join other BCBSA plans across the nation on this very important initiative to prevent these growing and devastating health epidemics among our children," said Joseph A. Frick, president and CEO at IBC. "Encouraging communication among physicians, parents, and their children about healthy behaviors at an early age can help children embrace better choices that will help ensure a brighter, healthier, and more productive future for our children and our community. We are proud to continue to make meaningful investments in prevention and health management initiatives like this."

The toolkit, developed in consultation with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics, features healthy messages from the Good Health Club, a group of animal characters who encourage kids to:

eat five servings of fruits and veggies every day;
limit computer, television, or video game screen time to two hours or less per day;
get at least one hour of physical activity daily, and;
cut out sweetened drinks.

The new toolkit contains tip sheets, wall posters, physician reference materials, tracking sheets, and educational brochures. These tools help to facilitate discussions about preventive behavior and healthy habits during patient visits, and are engaging enough to increase the likelihood children and their families will take action.

Sadly, the U.S. Surgeon General reported that since the mid-1970s, the number of overweight and obese children in the United States has tripled. In Pennsylvania alone, one-third of school aged kids are overweight or obese, and a major reason cited is lack of physical activity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the last two decades, type 2 diabetes has been reported among U.S. children and adolescents with increasing frequency. In fact, one in three U.S. children born in 2000 could develop diabetes during their lifetime.

"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of becoming overweight or obese adults, and obese children or teens are at risk for health problems like heart disease and diabetes - the two leading causes of death in the United States," said Dr. Es Nash, senior medical director at IBC. "That is why it is imperative that children develop good eating habits and continually get the exercise they need to live active, healthy lifestyles and avoid these diseases and their serious complications."

"As community-based health plans with nearly 80 years of experience in providing health care benefits, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies have long pioneered innovative programs at the local level to help address childhood obesity and diabetes," said Scott P. Serota, BCBSA president and CEO. "The launch of The Good Health Club Physician Toolkit takes the fight against childhood obesity to a new level, by providing pediatricians with essential tools to encourage lifelong healthy living habits for America's youth."

IBC has long supported an array of programs and initiatives to help younger members get healthy, stay healthy and to fight against childhood obesity and diabetes:

Active Schools. IBC and other sponsors provide funding to selected middle schools in Pennsylvania to put programs in place that can help to reduce childhood obesity and encourage students to engage in physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day.
Health eTools for Schools. A web-based application provides educational resources and cutting-edge technology to help schools facilitate health policy requirements and enable better nutrition and physical activity planning for children.
Healthy Lifestyles^SM Healthy Weight, Healthy You Program. IBC members whose children complete the approved adolescent and child weight management programs are eligible for a reimbursement of up to $200.
Do the SMART Thing^SM. This interactive prevention program teaches fifth graders about the dangers of tobacco usage and smoking.
Good 2 B Me website. IBC's latest entertaining and educational online resource is for kids ages 11 to 17, and helps them learn how to make smart choices to live healthier.
Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes. For the third consecutive year, IBC is the presenting sponsor for this ADA fundraising event, which takes place on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the number of school children with diabetes is on the rise. Last year, the Philadelphia event was number one in the nation for fundraising and participation in an effort to find a cure for this devastating disease.

Read more about the Good Health Club Physician Toolkit and find out more information about what the Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are doing in their communities to combat childhood obesity and diabetes.

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

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IBC Targets Chronic Pain and Fall Prevention in Disease Management Program Expansion

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST

Philadelphia, PA - June 3, 2010 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) today announces the addition of chronic pain management and fall prevention to its suite of award-winning disease management programs that serve over 1.5 million members. These programs expand the Connections^SM Health Management Program, delivered in collaboration with Health Dialog.

The chronic pain program aims to help members identified with chronic pain manage their condition, and provides information regarding evidence-based pain management techniques. The fall prevention program targets members who have an increased risk of an injury from a future accidental fall. This effort helps members understand why they are at risk of falling, and what steps they can take to reduce this risk.

Chronic pain

According to the American Chronic Pain Association, pain is the No. 1 cause of adult disability in the United States. At least one out of every six people live with chronic pain from backaches, aching jaws, headaches, arthritis, or other joint ailments. Unlike acute pain, which alerts the body to injury-causing danger and then quickly subsides, chronic pain is a sign that the body's alert system has broken down and pain signals remain active.

"Chronic pain takes a tremendous toll on a person's physical, psychological, and social well-being," says Dr. Es Nash, senior medical director at Independence Blue Cross. "By taking advantage of the Connections program, our members have the tools and support they need to work with their doctors to better understand and successfully manage their condition to reduce their pain and live more active and comfortable lives."

IBC's Connections^SM Chronic Pain Program is designed to help IBC's members learn the most effective ways to cope with their chronic pain so they can resume daily activities and improve their productivity and quality of life. A Health Coach will work with a member to identify and reduce pain triggers- psychological or physical factors like stress, lack of sleep, or musculoskeletal sources of pain. The Health Coach will also help the member understand specific tests, evaluations, and treatments for chronic pain.

Fall prevention

IBC's Connections^SM Fall Prevention Program is designed to diminish preventable falls among seniors in hopes of reducing avoidable hospitalizations and emergency room visits associated with these falls over time.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report falls as a leading cause of unintentional injury and death in people aged 65 years and over, with hip fractures being the most serious fall-related injury. And, according to the American Geriatric Society 95 percent of hip fractures are due to falls. As many as two thirds of elders with hip fracture have continued difficulty with activities such as dressing, bathing, shopping, or housekeeping, and are at an increased risk for placement in assisted-living or nursing homes. To prevent this loss of mobility, or disability, a Health Coach will encourage the member to perform balance and gait exercises, make modifications to the home environment, and work with their physician and/or pharmacist to better manage their medications.

Dr. Nash adds that although chronic pain affects members in all age groups, both the pain program and the fall prevention effort respond predominantly to the health needs of a rapidly-growing, aging population. According to the U.S. Census state figures, Pennsylvania has the third highest population over 65, and by 2020, the elderly will comprise 25 percent of the state's population.

IBC's Connections Health Management Program is designed to help members become better informed health care consumers. Through the program, members with chronic conditions such as diabetes, lung or breathing problems, or heart conditions can learn how to improve their health and overall quality of life. In addition, the program supports members who are facing a significant medical decision, as well as members who have everyday health concerns, by providing 24-hour access to Health Coaches. A Health Coach is a health professional averaging 10-15 years of clinical experience with specialized training in helping people manage chronic conditions by providing evidence-based information and support.

A recent survey measuring IBC members' satisfaction with the Connections program showed that 90 percent of IBC members with a chronic condition, and 90 percent of non-chronic members, report being "satisfied to very satisfied" with their Health Coach experience. Ninety seven percent of members with a chronic condition said they were able to follow their Health Coach's guidance and 94 percent felt their Health Coach was knowledgeable about their condition or situation.

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

About Health Dialog

Health Dialog Services Corporation 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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