IBC Press Releases

Independence Blue Cross names John Janney to newly created position: SVP marketing services

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

Brings fresh expertise to serving consumers, developing products, strengthening eBusiness

Philadelphia, PA - February 8, 2010 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) today announced the appointment of John R. Janney to the newly created role of senior vice president of marketing services. He will report to the company's senior vice president and chief marketing executive, Linda M. Taylor.

In this new position, Janney will oversee the company's consumerism initiatives that help health care consumers better manage their care and will also head product development, marketing support functions, and customer eBusiness. He will also lead efforts to strengthen the company's presence in the individual, small group, large group, and national markets.

"We are excited about the leadership John will bring to these critical areas for our company," said Daniel J. Hilferty, executive vice president and president of health markets. "John's business acumen, marketing systems expertise, and extensive experience in operations and eBusiness will help us deliver on our promise to our customers of targeted, cost-effective products and services."

"We are making changes to our marketing organization to enhance the experience for our customers and business partners," added Linda Taylor. "John will help us take our customer focus to a new level."

Janney was most recently senior vice president eBusiness and support services. He was appointed to that post in 2009 to manage operations systems and eBusiness platforms.

Janney has held roles of increasing responsibility in marketing, eBusiness, and operations since joining IBC in 1995 to lead a newly formed marketing systems department. He later took a leadership role in the company's eCommerce initiative, which put in place a strategic plan to address the eCommerce needs of physicians, hospitals, brokers, employers, and members, and launched internet portals for health care providers, members, customer groups, and electronic data interchange that process tens of millions of transactions and inquiries each year.

In 2000, Janney was appointed to vice president of eBusiness and enrollment services in IBC's eCommerce division where he was responsible for developing and deploying all of IBC's eCommerce and operational technologies and providing enrollment services to more than 3.3 million members.

Before joining IBC, Janney began his career at General Accident Insurance of Philadelphia, where he worked in leadership roles in operations, sales, and marketing.

Janney has a B.S. from Philadelphia College of Bible, now known as Philadelphia Biblical University, and an M.B.A. from Rutgers University where he teaches management information systems. Janney was recognized as Board Member of the Year by the Arts and Business Council Business on Board in 2005, and serves on the board of the Philadelphia Children's Theatre.

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 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 by visiting our website at www.ibx.com/about_ibc/health_care_reform.

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

Independence Blue Cross Announces Blue Distinction Centers for Two New Specialties

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

Philadelphia, PA - January 27, 2010 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) today announced that 19 area hospitals have achieved status as Blue Distinction Centers^® for two new specialties: knee and hip replacement and spine surgery.

"It is a credit to the high caliber of medical care in our region that Philadelphia is home to so many facilities recognized as Blue Distinction Centers," said Joseph A. Frick, president and CEO at IBC. "We are proud of our strong collaboration with physicians and hospitals through programs like Blue Distinction, our incentive-based provider reimbursement programs, and other joint efforts, like Patient Center Medical Home and Partnership for Patient Care, so that together we may improve the quality and affordability of care for everyone."

Blue Distinction is a nationwide program created by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association to help members easily identify outstanding medical centers that have demonstrated expertise in delivering quality health care. Previously established programs focus on cardiac care, bariatric surgery, transplants, and complex and rare cancers. In early 2010, the Blue Distinction program was expanded to include the Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement^SM, and the Blue Distinction Centers for Spine Surgery^SM now bringing the nation's number of Blue Distinction designations to more than 1,600-and this number is expected to increase in the coming years.

IBC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Richard L. Snyder says the expansion of the Blue Distinction program in these two specialties is timely and appropriate. The nation's aging population and growing proportion of seniors, as well as rising rates of obesity indicate that the need for costly hip and knee replacements will grow. A recent report by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons estimates U.S. residents undergo more than 478,000 knee replacements annually, with the number expected to reach 3.4 million by 2030. In addition, the academy estimates that residents undergo 234,000 total hip replacements annually, with the number expected to more than double by 2030. The average cost of a hip replacement ranges between $35,000 and $45,000.

"Hip and knee replacements, and spine surgery are proven methods of alleviating pain and restoring function and mobility," said Dr. Snyder. "However, the care that patients receive can vary, which is why a program like Blue Distinction that advocates best practices for high-quality and identifies facilities that meet those standards of care is so important."

IBC members may access the newly enhanced member web portal, ibxpress.com, to see which facilities are Blue Distinction Centers as well as other detailed information about a physician or hospital. This includes where their doctor went to medical school and other qualifications, or comparing hospitals based on experience, cost, patient satisfaction, and other important factors to help them make wise health care decisions about specific treatments and services.

Blue Distinction Centers listing

Of the 19 area hospitals to earn the latest Blue Distinction Centers status, seven of them achieved a distinction in both the knee and hip replacement and the spine surgery designations. These facilities are: Abington Memorial Hospital, Lankenau Hospital, Paoli Memorial Hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital, Riddle Memorial Hospital, Temple University Hospital, and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Hospitals that achieved the Blue Distinction status for knee and hip replacement are: Albert Einstein at Elkins Park, Crozer - Chester Medical Center, Delaware County Memorial Hospital, Doylestown Hospital, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Mercy Suburban Hospital, Nazareth Hospital, Presbyterian Medical Center, and St. Mary Medical Center.

Hospitals that achieved the Blue Distinction status for spine surgery are: Albert Einstein Medical Center, Aria Health - Torresdale, and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Area hospitals had to apply to achieve Blue Distinction Center status. The selection process used administrative and clinical data supplied by hospitals. Each facility's structure, processes, and care outcomes were rigorously evaluated. The criteria for designation include nationally endorsed quality measures, developed in collaboration with medical experts and professional organizations. All hospitals chosen are a part of IBC's broad network of providers who offer high-quality comprehensive spine surgery or knee and hip replacement services. IBC participates in the Blue Distinction program as a member of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About Independence Blue Cross

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

Note: Designation as Blue Distinction Centers means these facilities' overall experience and aggregate data met objective criteria established in collaboration with expert clinicians' and leading professional organizations' recommendations. Individual outcomes may vary. To find out which services are covered under your policy at any facilities, please call your local Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Plan.

Independence Blue Cross Announces New, Expanded Role For Key Executive

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

Paul Tufano promoted to lead government business; will continue as general counsel

Philadelphia, PA - January 19, 2010 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) announced today that Paul A. Tufano has assumed an expanded role of senior vice president, general counsel and chief government business executive. He will continue to report to IBC president and CEO Joseph A. Frick.

Tufano has been senior vice president and general counsel since November 1999 when he joined IBC.

Tufano will be responsible for the strategic, financial, and tactical leadership of the company's government business and its products and programs. IBC's government business includes Medicare and Medicaid products, as well as health plans for low-income members: the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), adultBasic, and Special Care.

Tufano will also oversee the company's Medicaid business and serve as the liaison between Independence Blue Cross and the AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies, 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. Tufano will serve on the board of directors of AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies.

Tufano will continue in his role of general counsel in providing oversight for the legal, regulatory, and corporate governance affairs of IBC.

"In recent years, we have faced significant challenges in continuing to provide our members with coverage through federally-funded and state-funded programs," said IBC president and CEO Frick. "Paul's dynamic leadership and his ability to think strategically make him perfect to lead this complex and critical growth area for our company. Paul has earned the respect of his peers in both the legal and business communities because of his expertise and ability to work through complex legal and business challenges."

Before joining IBC, Tufano served for five years as general counsel to former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge. In 2002, he was appointed cochair of the transition team for then-Governor-elect Edward G. Rendell.

Active in the legal community, Tufano was the founding chairman of the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Government Lawyers committee and has served on the board of trustees of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation, which exists to raise funds for legal services for the poor. He has been honored for his work in this area by both the Pennsylvania Bar Association and Pennsylvania Legal Services. He serves on several boards, including the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, WHYY, Villanova University, and the Committee of Seventy. He is currently president of the Villanova University Alumni Association and is cochairing the search for the next dean of Villanova's law school.

Tufano is a graduate of Villanova University where he earned both his bachelor's degree and his law degree.

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.

Taylor promoted to Independence Blue Cross Chief Marketing Executive

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

Philadelphia, PA - January 19, 2010 - Independence Blue Cross today announced that Linda M. Taylor has been promoted to chief marketing executive. Taylor will report to Daniel J. Hilferty, president of Health Markets for Independence Blue Cross.

As chief marketing executive, Taylor will oversee commercial sales and marketing activities for Independence Blue Cross (IBC) and two of the company's third-party administrators: Independence Administrators, and AmeriHealth Administrators. Her role includes new business sales, account management, marketing administration, and product development, as well as broker relations. Taylor will also work closely with IBC's subsidiary, AmeriHealth New Jersey.

A veteran of more than 20 years in the health benefits field, Taylor began her career at IBC in 1995, and has held roles of increasing responsibility, including several leadership and executive positions at the company and its subsidiaries. Most recently, she was senior vice president of sales and marketing at AmeriHealth Administrators, a position she held since 2002. She was also vice president of marketing at AmeriHealth New Jersey and has held several marketing positions in national accounts at IBC.

"I'm pleased to have a health benefits and marketing professional of Linda's caliber take on an increasingly important role as a member of our executive team," said Joseph A. Frick, president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross. "Our focus on our strategic vision has never been more important than in these challenging times. I am confident that Linda's knowledge, company-wide experience, relationships, and strong skills in sales and marketing will be a great asset in helping us sustain our success in the marketplace."

Added Hilferty: "Linda brings extensive experience and depth of knowledge of our market. Through her leadership of the sales and marketing area, we will continue to best position IBC to retain current customers, attract new employers and individuals, and ensure fiscal stability."

Taylor is a member of the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association and the Society of Professional benefit Administrators. She serves on the board of directors of the Main Line YMCA and is the chair of the membership and human resources committees.

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

IBC Introduces Two New Guaranteed-Issue Individual Personal Choice Options

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

Plans replace three 20-year-old plans and include pre-tax savings account option

Philadelphia, PA - January 14, 2010 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) announced that it is introducing in March two new guaranteed-issue Personal Choice health plans for individuals that will replace three older Personal Choice guaranteed-issue options.

IBC is the only company in the region that offers individuals guaranteed-issue health insurance, plans that accept all who apply, regardless of their health.

The new plans, which provide choice and flexibility in product design and costs, are:

Personal Choice Basic. A preferred provider organization (PPO) plan that allows members to receive care from any providers without a referral in-network or out-of-network.
Personal Choice Value HSA. An HSA-qualified PPO plan, which means the plan may be combined with a health savings account, a feature that has been growing in popularity in the Philadelphia region for the past few years. The Value plan offers a more modest premium, a higher deductible, and allows members to contribute funds to the HSA that are not subject to federal tax. That money can be used to pay for medical expenses or to save to supplement retirement savings.

IBC's PPO plans include Healthy Lifestyle programs, which provide tools, resources, and financial incentives to help members stay healthy, lose weight, or stop smoking. These PPO plans also include Connections^SM Health Management Programs, which help members manage their chronic conditions. These individual plans are for people who are not covered by an employer's health plan. For more information on these plans, visit www.ibx.com/health_plans/individual/ppo.html.

"We are committed to continuing to offer these guaranteed-issue plans so that we can provide coverage to anyone, regardless of their health," said Scott Post, vice president of Marketing Administration at IBC. "However, to do that, we needed to modernize plan designs that were 20 years old, and adjust the rates to slow the significant losses we've incurred in these plans over that time."

Rising medical costs, such as the cost for drugs or new technologies, are the primary reason why health insurance premiums increase, and the Philadelphia region is one of the most expensive in the nation for health care. The population is older, medical care in the region is more expensive, and people use more health services.

"When medical costs go up, health insurance premiums rise too," said Post, explaining that the cost of the medical care members of these plans receive has been far exceeding the premiums they paid to IBC. "No business can operate that way forever. We do everything we can to avoid raising rates, but changing these plans' design and rates was necessary to continue to offer these important guarantee issue products and maintain our financial soundness."

In addition to the two new Personal Choice guarantee issue individual plans, IBC offers other guaranteed-issue plans, known as Traditional Blue Cross, Blue Shield or Major Medical. IBC also offers adultBasic and CHIP, which are state-run plans, as well as medically underwritten individual Keystone HMO options. Members and prospective customers are encouraged to explore plan options at www.ibx.com/health_plans and, for help with any questions, call 1-800 ASK-BLUE to speak with a representative.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department approved the two new individual guarantee issue plans' benefits design and rates in November. IBC sent letters in December to the 27,000 members currently enrolled in the three discontinued individual PPO plans, notifying them about the change and asking them to select one of the two new options by January 15. Members who don't select a new plan by then will automatically be enrolled in the Personal Choice Value HSA plan so that there is no lapse in coverage. However, they have a grace period that gives them until May 31 to change plans, if they wish.

Some of these members will see an increase and others a decrease in their monthly premiums when they switch from the discontinued Personal Choice plans to the one of the new plans. The new rate will depend on the plan a member chooses, the member's age, and whether a spouse or children will also be covered. Existing members can find more information at www.ibx.com/planchange.

About Independence Blue Cross

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

Santa, Independence Blue Cross Elves Make Early Stop to Philadelphia

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST

Students at Isaac A. Sheppard Elementary School to receive gifts, coats

Philadelphia, PA - December 23, 2009 - Santa Claus made an early holiday visit today to children at a North Philadelphia elementary school during a pre-Christmas stop arranged by the "elves" from Independence Blue Cross.

The 280 students in kindergarten through fourth grade at the Issac A. Sheppard School screamed with joy as the jolly red elf entered the auditorium and presented each child with a wrapped gift labeled with his or her name. The school also received an early holiday gift: A $2,000 donation to be used to purchase needed school supplies. Independence Blue Cross president and CEO, Joseph A. Frick, presented the corporate gift to school principal James P. Otto.

"Santa Day" is an annual holiday tradition for the school. Santa traditionally makes his entrance during "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" - the final song in a concert performed by the Independence Blue Cross choir, the Sounds of Independence.

Each year, hundreds of Independence Blue Cross employees donate new holiday gifts for the Sheppard School students. Every gift is individually selected for a specific child. To surprise the students with Santa's arrival, a collection of undercover "elves" wrap, pack, and secretly ship the gifts to the school before the annual Santa Day event. In addition to the nearly 300 gifts for each of the Sheppard School students, Independence Blue Cross collected 300 new winter coats for the school to give its students in need.

Independence Blue Cross has been a corporate sponsor of the Sheppard School, a 98 percent poverty-level school, for about 15 years. Independence Blue Cross has been offering academic and social support through programs such as the Philadelphia Reads Power Partners program and various beautification projects.

Independence Blue Cross Promotes Dr. Richard L. Snyder to Chief Medical Officer

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST

Philadelphia, PA - December 17, 2009 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) today announced that Dr. Richard L. Snyder has been promoted to chief medical officer, effective January 1, 2010. As chief medical officer, Dr. Snyder will be the chief clinical spokesperson for Independence Blue Cross, and will have overall corporate responsibility for medical management, quality management, and all clinical policies and programs.

Dr. Snyder will continue to report to Dr. I. Steven Udvarhelyi, IBC's former chief medical officer, who assumes a new role as executive vice president for health services on January 1.

"Rich has become well known for his collaborative work with the physician and hospital community to improve health and wellness for our members and the communities we serve - the cornerstone of our mission," said Joseph A. Frick, IBC president and CEO. "Locally, his leadership was instrumental in creating the pilot in southeastern Pennsylvania of the patient centered medical home, which is intended to revolutionize care delivery in primary care practices. Nationally, he's been involved in initiatives to both improve quality in specific clinical areas such as heart disease and to improve patient safety overall. Clearly, Rich helps us fulfill our mission with his deep clinical knowledge, his managed health care expertise, and compassionate, team-building leadership."

Dr. Snyder joined IBC in 1997 as the senior medical director of utilization management, and over the last 13 years has assumed greater levels of responsibility, first as vice president quality management and most recently as senior vice president, health services. Dr. Snyder is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College and The Medical College of Pennsylvania, and is a board certified family practice physician. He is a member of various medical societies, including the American Medical Association, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians.

Dr. Snyder has led a number of initiatives that improve the health and wellness of the members, customers, and communities IBC serves. These include not only the leadership of the care management and quality management divisions within IBC, but also his appointments and leadership with a variety of regional and state initiatives, including:

appointed to the Pennsylvania Chronic Care Commission by Governor Edward G. Rendell to develop a strategy to enhance chronic care management for the state;
leadership in the Patient Centered Medical Home Chronic Care Initiative in southeastern Pennsylvania to reward primary care practices for providing accessible, coordinated care to each patient, with an emphasis on wellness and the prevention and control of chronic illness;
leadership with the Pennsylvania Healthcare Quality Alliance to help develop single-source hospital quality reporting;
participation in the Partnership for Patient Care, a collaboration with the Health Care Improvement Foundation to address patient safety in the Philadelphia metro area;
contributions to the Health Services Research Advisory Council of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association;
contributions as a long-standing surveyor for the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

About Independence Blue Cross

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

Independence Blue Cross supports Pennsylvania fitness program with grants to 10 area schools

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST

Funding is part of IBC's broader commitment to keeping kids healthy and preventing illness

Philadelphia, PA - December 7, 2009 - One third of school aged kids in Pennsylvania are overweight or obese, and a major reason is lack of physical activity. The U.S. Surgeon General recommends children engage in 60 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week, but estimates show that most children aren't getting enough regular physical activity at school.

As part of its long-standing commitment to improve student health and fitness, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) announces its partnership with the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Education on a new fitness initiative called Active Schools that aims to reduce childhood obesity and increase student exercise.

IBC is providing $10,000 to 10 of the 40 Pennsylvania schools the state has selected to receive grants, for a total contribution of $100,000. The Department of Health will also provide each school with a $5,000 grant through the federal Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant. The schools must use the funding for an activity or program that provides 30 minutes of the federal guidelines of moderate to vigorous daily physical activity. Funding is for the 2009-2010 school year.

"The continued rise in childhood obesity is extremely alarming and I congratulate Pennsylvania's Secretary of Health Everette James for tackling this difficult and potentially dangerous problem in our communities and schools," said Joseph A. Frick, president and chief executive officer of Independence Blue Cross. "By supporting initiatives that teach our children the importance of regular exercise and healthy lifestyle choices, we're making it a lot easier for good habits to be engrained as they grow older and to carry through for the rest of their lives."

"Our district is grateful to the PA Departments of Health and Education and Independence Blue Cross for making this program available to our students, and for recognizing that physical activity is crucial to children's health and success in school," said Bettyann Creighton, director, Health, Safety and Physical Education for the Philadelphia School District. "This grant will allow students to participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity before school, during physical education class, other in-school opportunities, and after school. For example, the video game platform some of our schools will use is very appealing to kids and lets them perform at their own level of fitness. Our focus is to get all kids moving."

IBC's long-standing commitment to student health includes the following:

Health eTools for Schools. A web-based application, Health eTools for Schools provides educational resources and cutting-edge technology to help schools facilitate health policy requirements and enable better nutrition and physical activity planning for children. To date, more than 700 area schools and more than 359,000 students are enrolled in Health eTools for Schools.
Do The Smart Thing^SM Youth Tobacco Prevention Program. In a partnership with area schools, IBC provides fifth-graders with information and resources to help them maintain a smoke-free lifestyle.
Adolescent immunization program. Annual reminders are mailed to the parents of adolescents ages 11 to 13 in more than 72,800 families.
Good 2 B Me website. IBC's latest entertaining and educational online resource for kids ages 11 to 17 helps them learn how to make smart choices to live healthier.

The following schools will receive Active Schools funding from IBC:

School	County
Charles Boehm Middle School	Bucks
Owen J. Roberts Middle School	Chester
Scott Middle School	Chester
Glenolden School	Delaware
Cedarbrook Middle School	Montgomery
Anna Lane Lingelbach School	Philadelphia
Penrose Elementary School	Philadelphia
Charles W. Henry School	Philadelphia
John H. Taggart School	Philadelphia
Baldi Middle School	Philadelphia

About Independence Blue Cross

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

Important information about links to other sites

Joseph A. Frick, Independence Blue Cross CEO, Receives Philadelphia Urban League Honor

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST

Whitney M. Young, Jr. Community Empowerment Lunch Salutes Local Business Leaders

Philadelphia, PA - December 4, 2009 - At noon today, Independence Blue Cross president and chief executive officer Joseph A. Frick was honored with the 2009 Urban League of Philadelphia Business Leader Award. This is the 7th annual presentation of the award that was created to salute a leader who has provided time, talent, and resources to help further the mission of the Urban League of Philadelphia - to advance the empowerment of African Americans to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power, and civil rights.

The award was presented today at the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Community Empowerment Awards Lunch, held at the Loews Hotel Philadelphia. The award is named after the fourth executive director of the National Urban League who, in 1961, brought the Urban League into the Civil Rights arena, thereby meshing the tenets of Civil Rights activism with the practices of social work.

"I am humbled and honored to receive this prestigious award today, and to be recognized by an organization that has played a key role in strengthening Philadelphia's business community for decades," said Frick. "Independence Blue Cross and the Philadelphia Urban League have worked closely together over the years and I'm proud of the partnership we've built," added Frick.

"Joe has done a tremendous job strengthening the pipeline for young high school students to obtain valuable skills and access to mentors through summer internships," said Patricia Coulter, president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Philadelphia. "We are pleased to honor an Independence Blue Cross leader who cares deeply about improving our region's community, and who has achieved a great deal to empower business and economic growth for Philadelphia."

Frick joined IBC in 1993, and has led Independence Blue Cross since January 2005. He succeeded former IBC president and CEO G. Fred DiBona. In October 2008, Frick completed a two-year term as chairperson 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. Recently, Frick became a member of the Executive Committee of the Committee of Seventy. Nationally, he serves on the boards of directors for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP).

At today's event, four other prominent honorees were presented awards: Andrea Agnew, director of diversity and inclusion at Comcast, received the Volunteer Award; Sulaiman Rahman, owner of UrbanPhilly.com, LLC, received the Young Urban Award; Dilworth Paxson LLC received the Community Service Award; and OARC (Ogontz Avenue Revitalization Corporation, Inc.) received the Community Leader Award.

About Independence Blue Cross

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

Important information about links to other sites

Independence Blue Cross Secures All-Blue Contract with Lincoln Financial Group

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST

Lincoln Financial Employees to have PPO and Comprehensive Major Medical Coverage

Philadelphia, PA - December 2, 2009 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) today announced its new health benefits contract with Lincoln Financial Group. IBC will be the primary provider of health insurance for approximately 10,000 Lincoln Financial Group employees, retirees, and their dependents across the nation. The Lincoln plan offerings will include the PPO option and Comprehensive Major Medical plans.

"I know I speak for all of us at Independence Blue Cross when I say we are delighted that Lincoln Financial Group has entrusted us with the health insurance needs of their employees," said Joseph A. Frick, president and chief executive officer of Independence Blue Cross. "We are pleased Lincoln recognizes our expanded capabilities in health information technology, consumer resources, and overall member satisfaction, and are happy to extend these offerings to all Lincoln locations, both nationally and in our region. From one southeastern Pennsylvania-based company to another, we welcome all of the Lincoln employees and their families to our health care coverage."

On January 1, 2010, IBC will become the primary health insurance option for Lincoln employees at their locations across the country, including key offices in Fort Wayne, Indiana; Hartford, Connecticut; Omaha, Nebraska; Greensboro, North Carolina; Concord, New Hampshire; and headquarters in Radnor, Pennsylvania. Employee enrollment sessions at all of these locations have been underway over the past few months.

Lincoln Financial Group is a diversified financial services organization in the Philadelphia region with $137 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2009. They offer innovative, industry-leading advice and solutions to help customers secure their financial futures. Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) and its affiliates.

"At Independence Blue Cross we are thrilled to extend our services to Lincoln Financial Group. As a whole, our company has a strong focus on national business and we are eager to expand upon our long-standing relationship with Lincoln," said Lawrence Kissner, vice president of national account sales at Independence Blue Cross. "We worked closely with Lincoln to develop a custom option that will satisfy the needs of their employees nationally. Previously, we insured many of their employees based in the southeastern Pennsylvania region only."

Independence Blue Cross offers its customers the BlueCard® network, a cohesive system of health care experts in hundreds of locations. As Blue Plan members, Lincoln employees around the country will have national access to quality care and coverage in both urban and rural areas with over 764,000 doctors and 5,700 hospitals included in the independent Blue Plan PPO networks. Outside the United States, BlueCard members have access to doctors and hospitals in 200 countries and territories.

About Independence Blue Cross

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

Important information about links to other sites

IBC Encourages Philadelphia Area Families, Youth, and Individuals to 'Go Figure' - A Way to Stay Fit

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Members save on admission during the Blue Cross RiverRink's 16th winter season

Philadelphia, PA - November 27, 2009 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) sponsors the Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn's Landing for its 16th consecutive season, opening Thanksgiving weekend. The Blue Cross RiverRink offers three winter months of ice skating, a great way to enjoy the outdoors and to stay active this winter. IBC helps save members money by offering a $2 discount for those who show a member ID card. On Saturdays in December, IBC members are also entitled to free hot chocolate. On Healthy Kids Fest Day, January 10, children of IBC members skate free.

"We are excited to once again partner with the Blue Cross RiverRink as we enter the 16th ice skating season as the lead sponsor," said Joseph A. Frick, president and CEO of IBC. "Ice skating offers an old-time favorite way to exercise during the colder months. It's a type of family entertainment and healthy, outdoor fun that we continue to encourage among our members and associates. We are pleased to continue our partnership with the Penn's Landing Corporation in sponsoring this Philadelphia tradition, which also complements our support of healthy lifestyles for the whole community."

Visitors can enjoy a rejuvenating outdoor family adventure at the Blue Cross RiverRink's Olympic-sized ice rink at Penn's Landing. Skaters take in the breathtaking wintertime view overlooking the Delaware River and the Ben Franklin Bridge. The rink features a heated pavilion with a snack bar and game room. There are special events throughout the season, including a live DJ every Friday and Saturday night from 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 Midnight to keep skaters moving on the ice.

This year, the Blue Cross RiverRink's theme is 'Go Figure - A Cool Way to Stay Fit.' The rink is adorned for the holidays with a 20-foot Christmas tree donated by a Philadelphia resident through the Fairmount Park Commission Tree Donation program. The entire venue will sparkle with twinkling lights, colorful spheres, and holiday decorations as the rink comes alive for the holidays.

The rink is open on all holidays including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 18, 2010), and President's Day (February 15, 2010). Check www.riverrink.com for hours. Regular skating admission is $8 and skate rental is available for $3. Convenient parking is available on site for $10. Remember that IBC members with membership card will receive a $2 discount on admission.

Other special events at the Blue Cross RiverRink during the 2009-2010 season include:
December 6 - Skating with Santa
December 31 - New Year's Eve Party
January 10 - Healthy Kids Fest
January 24 - Tropical Paradise in Ice
February 7 - Sugar and Spice on Ice
February 14 - Sweetheart Skate

The Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn's Landing is Philadelphia's only outdoor public ice rink, and is located on Columbus Boulevard at Market Street. For more information on skating times, lessons, birthday parties, or private receptions, call (215) 925-RINK or visit www.riverrink.com.

Independence Blue Cross is the founding and presenting sponsor of the Blue Cross RiverRink and has been involved in its activities since 1993 when the Blue Cross RiverRink first opened. IBC's sponsorship is a natural extension of its long-standing partnership with the Penn's Landing Corporation, offering families in the Philadelphia area the perfect venue for healthy, outdoor fun year round.

About Independence Blue Cross

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

Important information about links to other sites

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, but IBC Fights this Growing and Devastating Disease Every Day

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

IBC's Lead Sponsorship of and Participation in Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes Earns it an Award

Philadelphia, PA - November 19, 2009 - Today, IBC received one of the top corporate team awards from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) after mobilizing a team of nearly 400 walkers who raised $36,000 through donations and its corporate matching gift program for the ADA's Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes presented by Independence Blue Cross (IBC). This fall, more than 3,500 people gathered to participate in the ADA's signature fundraising walk that takes place in 160 cities across the country. IBC, along with a number of local corporate teams, helped ADA meet and surpass an aggressive fundraising goal of $415,000. To date, walkers, volunteers, donors, and corporate sponsors alike have raised $550,000, bringing the ADA one step closer to finding a cure for the nearly 24 million Americans living with diabetes - America's fastest growing disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of diabetes cases nationwide increased by 90 percent over the past decade. In Philadelphia alone, 11 percent of people have the disease, and that's 3 percent higher than the national average. In 2008, the estimated direct and indirect cost of diagnosed diabetes was $174 billion. Not only do costly complications of diabetes, such as heart disease, amputation, and blindness have a significant impact on the U.S. health system and its rising costs, but some complications can lead to death. In 2007, for example, diabetes killed nearly 300,000 people across the U.S.

"Although chronic diseases like diabetes are among the most common and costly health problems, they are also among the most preventable," said Joseph A. Frick, president and chief executive officer, IBC. "Our sponsorship of Step Out and the enthusiastic participation of our associates, in addition to our strong focus every day on obesity and diabetes-related prevention, management, and support programs, is a clear demonstration of how we are here for our members every step of the way."

Prevention is key

Though type 1 diabetes can often be tied to genetics, type 2 is largely attributed to lifestyle choices. Sadly, a trend of unhealthy lifestyles is plaguing children and adults alike. According to the CDC, in the last two decades type 2 diabetes has been reported among U.S. children and adolescents with increasing frequency. Health care providers are finding more and more children with type 2 diabetes - a disease usually diagnosed in adults 40 years or older.

"Research shows that as weight increases to levels of 'overweight' and 'obese' so do the chances of developing coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes," said Richard L. Snyder, M.D., senior vice president Health Services, IBC. "It is imperative that children develop good eating habits and get the exercise they need to live active, healthy lifestyles and avoid these diseases and their serious complications. We are proud of the prevention programs we have in place to tackle childhood obesity and diabetes."

Because childhood obesity is on the rise and is a leading contributor to type 2 diabetes in children, IBC introduced Health eTools for Schools, a unique, web-based program designed to help area schools promote student wellness and combat childhood obesity. Now, further plans are in place to help promote better nutrition and physical activity planning in schools. One example is the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Education's Active Schools initiative. Through this program, sponsors like IBC contribute grants to local schools that must use the funding for physical activities and programs for students.

Other Blue partners throughout the country are getting involved in various initiatives as well. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association recently launched a pilot program in five states called the Pediatric Obesity and Diabetes Prevention Pilot Program. Doctors within the pilot program receive prevention toolkits containing reference materials and educational, behavior-changing tools to share with patients and parents.

In addition to prevention-related programs, IBC continues to support members that are already living with diabetes through a variety of programs. The award-winning Connections^SM Health Management Program targets members with diabetes and other chronic conditions through one-on-one support with health coaches. IBC also 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.

About Independence Blue Cross

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

Important information about links to other sites

Independence Blue Cross Appoints Lauren O'Brien Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Philadelphia, PA - November 17, 2009 - Independence Blue Cross today announced that Lauren O'Brien has joined the company in the newly created position of vice president, chief accounting officer. O'Brien will report to Alan Krigstein, the company's chief financial officer.

With 10 years of senior leadership experience in the insurance industry, O'Brien will work closely with Krigstein and Independence Blue Cross president and CEO, Joseph A. Frick, to further strengthen the company's overall business reporting and analytics and to maintain its accounting systems. Her responsibilities will include corporate accounting, financial reporting, cost and budget, and the finance and accounting functions of the company's subsidiaries.

"Lauren has a proven track record as a financial leader, and I'm pleased she will be joining our team," said Frick. "Her steady, hands-on leadership will be invaluable as we continue to achieve our strategic goals and remain a financially stable, responsible, customer-oriented business."

Before joining Independence Blue Cross, O'Brien was the chief financial officer and chief risk officer at BlueCross BlueShield of Delaware. O'Brien has also served as chief financial officer at Promina Health System, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia and in various financial roles with CIGNA Healthcare.

O'Brien graduated from Emory University where she received a bachelor degree in business administration from its Goizueta School of Business. She is a certified public accountant and a certified internal auditor, as well as a fellow of the Life Management Institute.

Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. More information about Independence Blue Cross is available at www.ibx.com.

Important information about links to other sites

Independence Blue Cross Enhances Member Site with WebMD Health Information, Resources

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Personalized Self-Service Site Helps Members Take Charge of Their Health

Philadelphia, PA - November 10, 2009 - Imagine having your health care information at your fingertips, in one convenient place. No more surfing the Internet to find reliable, personalized, information. Independence Blue Cross (IBC) announces the launch of an enhanced member website at www.ibxpress.com, which offers one convenient source for members' health care needs.

Through a collaboration between IBC and WebMD, one of the most recognized brands of health information, IBC members can now access clinically accurate, relevant health care information with ease. The site uses the latest technology and WebMD's trusted health resources.

"We are very excited about the launch of our new, enhanced member website, ibxpress.com," said Joseph A. Frick, president and chief executive officer of Independence Blue Cross. "The Internet has changed the way people make decisions. They have become comfortable with using the web for other aspects of their lives - banking, travel arrangements, and major purchases. The same trend is evident in health care. More health care consumers are taking a proactive role in their health, especially as they better understand the connection between health care costs and lifestyle choices."

"Our customers are asking us for resources and tools to help them make decisions to live healthier, more fulfilling lives, and we are delivering. This new portal will offer our members leading edge content, tools, and interactive learning opportunities to help them make the right choices for good health. We are passionate about empowering our members and providing them the new and progressive ibxpress.com to make managing their health online as easy and familiar to them as banking online," Frick said.

"As health care reform puts a spotlight on people's role in healthy living, it is more important than ever that we help educate our members so they can make informed decisions about their health. We think they will like what they find as they discover all that ibxpress.com now offers," Frick added.

Ibxpress.com leverages IBC's consumer website experience and WebMD's proven technology and expertise in personalized health information services. By providing tools targeted for specific health situations, ibxpress.com helps IBC members better manage physician visits, monitor prescription drugs they use, easily find a doctor or hospital equipped for their needs, learn more about the risks and rewards of various health decisions, and use interactive applications to improve their lifestyles.

"Many of our members already use the Internet to find information about health conditions, and check their symptoms," said I. Steven Udvarhelyi, chief medical officer for Independence Blue Cross. "By combining health management resources from WebMD with IBC's member-specific information and medical and prescription drug data, the enhanced ibxpress.com better meets members' individual health needs."

IBC can send targeted messages to members based on their preferences, conditions, or demographics. For example, a member who expresses interest in losing weight can receive helpful tips and articles focused on diet, exercise and nutrition to improve her health.

IBC members will appreciate the interactive learning opportunities and practical features available from the new portal:

a personal health risk profile that provides personalized reports and action plans targeted to the member's individual risk factors to help them adopt healthier behaviors;
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;
the WebMD Health Encyclopedia, which explains medical terms in an easy-to-understand, consumer-friendly manner;
physician and hospital finder tools enable members to find participating providers and compare hospitals by location and quality outcomes.

Employer group customers, more than ever before, are asking IBC for help in promoting healthy lifestyles in order to help them manage health costs, Dr. Udvarhelyi explained. Member empowerment in health care ties directly to the bottom line. He said employers are 'getting it' and want to encourage their employees to take an active role in changing behaviors and managing their health.

IBC's enhanced consumer portal is free, easy to use, and secure. In addition to the enhanced features, members will still be able to:

review claims and obtain tax-year reports;
view payment responsibility reports, which show how much IBC paid for a claim and any amounts the member may owe;
request and print temporary ID cards;
view and print referrals as needed.

"With enhanced consumer tools available 24/7 for self-service, IBC is striving for optimum member health which results in better quality of life and ultimately medical cost savings," Dr. Udvarhelyi added. "In addition to our enhanced ibxpress.com, we offer many other programs and services to help members take a more active role in their health and become better informed health care consumers."

About Independence Blue Cross

Important information about links to other sites