IBC Press Releases

Graduates Needing Health Insurance Have Cost-Effective Options

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

Independence Blue Cross individual HMO plans offer lower premiums, greater peace of mind

Philadelphia, PA - June 30, 2009 - College graduates across the region are finding themselves in a serious predicament: less than 20 percent of those 2009 grads who applied for jobs have received employment offers, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. And, no job can mean no health insurance.

That leaves many grads facing the "I am uninsured" reality. The good news is that's not necessary, says Scott Post, vice president of marketing administration at Independence Blue Cross (IBC). Adults and parents of young adults can have the peace of mind that health coverage brings. Independence Blue Cross offers a solution: individual Keystone Health Plan East options in six medically underwritten HMO plans. Three of these plans have high-deductibles, which help keep monthly premiums low - as low as $76, or about the daily cost of a latte at the corner coffee shop.

"In Pennsylvania, 1.2 million or close to 10 percent of our population is uninsured, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. We are pleased to offer affordable health plans to help people find the security that goes with being insured - for those individuals who might otherwise worry every day about what will happen if they need health care," said Post. "We expect these new insurance plans, now available with low-cost preventive care services, will empower people to take better care of themselves, and offer the education and tools they need to be wise and informed health care consumers."

IBC's individual HMO plans are designed to keep monthly premiums affordable and offer preventive health visits with reasonable copays that are not subject to the deductible, which is $1,500 to $5,000. The deductible is applied to services like hospitalization and surgery. Once the member has paid the amount of the deductible, then the policy provides coverage.

These individual HMO plans offer many of the same features that employer-sponsored HMO plans offer. For example, IBC's individual HMO plans include access to urgent care anywhere in the world, routine eye exams and prescription benefits, including money-saving mail order options for 90-day supplies. They also offer the convenience of no claims forms, disease management, and decision support. The member's primary care physician, as with all of IBC's HMO plans, coordinates patient care. Also included are the popular Healthy Lifestyles^SM programs such as cash reimbursements for fitness clubs, smoking cessation, weight management, and other rewards.

Offered through Keystone Health Plan East, Inc., a subsidiary of IBC, these individual HMO plans may also be ideal for sole proprietors, early retirees, and other individuals not covered by a group plan. IBC recently developed a website to help individuals explore which health insurance options may be most appropriate for them.

A December 2008 survey conducted by DSS Research shows that nine out of 10 individual Keystone Health Plan East HMO members would recommend their plan to a friend, indicating a high level of member confidence and satisfaction.

Later this year, insurers such as IBC will offer an option for group customers to extend dependent coverage so that parents can cover their adult children up through age 29, under parents' group health plans (those plans sponsored by employers and health and welfare funds.) This new option is provided in Act 4 of the recently passed Senate Bill 189, which allows employers to choose to offer adult dependent coverage through their group plans that are renewed or contracted after December 7, 2009. Adult dependents must meet certain eligibility requirements. Parents and their adult children will want to compare costs of this option against individual plan offerings.

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For more than 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.

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Independence Blue Cross Recognized for Anti-Fraud Achievements

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association awards IBC for efforts to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse

Philadelphia, PA - June 30, 2009 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) today will be recognized by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) for its successful identification, investigation, and support to law enforcement on health care fraud investigations. In 2008, IBC's Corporate & Financial Investigations Department (CFID), which oversees this work, recovered nearly $52 million in overpaid claims resulting from fraud, waste, or abuse. Since 2004, CFID has recovered more than $192 million in overpaid claims, and referred 325 cases to law enforcement and regulatory authorities, resulting in 86 fraud charges and 65 convictions.

The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association estimates that about 3 percent of all health care spending - or $68 billion - is lost to health care fraud annually.

"Health care fraud and abuse are expensive and increase the cost of health care for everybody," said Karen Lessin, senior vice president, Internal Audit and Corporate Compensation at IBC. "As responsible stewards of our customers' health care dollars, it is important that we do everything we can to work with law enforcement and others to help identify and bring to justice people who knowingly abuse the health care system."

BCBSA will host a live webinar today at 2 p.m. to share anti-fraud statistics and examples from Blue plans across the nation. One case involves the investigation by IBC in southeastern Pennsylvania with the FBI and U.S. Postal Service of a gynecologist who submitted more than $600,000 in false claims and fabricated medical records. The doctor was indicted for mail fraud, among other counts, convicted, and is currently awaiting a jail sentence.

Every year, BCBSA and the Harvard Medical School Department of Health Care Policy present awards to Blue health plans that identify and promote best practices in prevention, investigation, prosecution, and fraud risk identification. Edward Litchko, senior director, CFID, said, "This is the third time in four years that IBC has been recognized for successfully combining the skill and experience of our auditors, analysts, and financial investigators to identify and investigate fraudulent matters."

Nationally, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies' anti-fraud investigations resulted in savings and recoveries of nearly $350 million in 2008, an increase of 43 percent from 2007, according to the BCBSA.

Independence Blue Cross members can call 1-866 282-2707 to report suspected fraud, or visit www.ibx.com/about_ibc/antifraud. They can also report it through the BCBSA hotline, 1-877-327-BLUE, or website.

About Independence Blue Cross

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

About BCBSA

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 39 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for more than 100 million individuals - one in three Americans. For more information on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and its member companies, please visit www.BCBS.com.

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Employee Health and Reducing Health Care Costs Focus of Working Wellness Expo June 17

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

Independence Blue Cross and Philadelphia Business Journal to sponsor and present health expo

Philadelphia, PA - June 16, 2009 - Americans spend more than half of their waking hours at work. With health care costs continuing to climb, many employers are looking for ways to help stem the increases while improving the health of their employees. In conjunction with Philadelphia Business Journal, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) is urging area business leaders who want to lower medical costs and build employees' health, and anyone interested in health and fitness, to attend the Working Wellness Expo tomorrow.

The Wellness Expo will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Room 108 of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Registration can be completed at events.bizjournals.com/6150 and walk-ins will be accepted if space permits.

"According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, at least 50 percent of an organization's health care costs are linked to employees' smoking, poor diet, and lack of exercise," said Dr. Richard Snyder, senior medical director at IBC. "Since we all spend a significant amount of our lives at work, employees should feel valued and know that their health is considered a priority on the job. Not only will healthier behaviors lead to lower costs, but a health improvement program can also positively affect productivity and morale." Dr. Snyder will deliver opening remarks at the expo.

To help employers drive down the cost of health care, IBC continues to offer customers its Wellness Partners® program - a worksite-based, targeted outreach program that helps employers to encourage healthier behaviors in the workplace, and integrate individualized support and site-specific tools and programs for improving health.

To help the community, IBC, the presenting sponsor of the June 17 expo, will offer free health screenings throughout the day, and Marian Hay, manager of Health Promotion and Wellness at the company will present and discuss the importance of worksite wellness. Participants can also take advantage of interactive health booths, pick up educational information on nutrition counseling and exercises they can do at their desk, enjoy music and entertainment, and hear from former NFL head coach, Dick Vermeil. Be sure to bring a business card and enter to win a weekend spa getaway.

"Worksite wellness programs are good for employees and good for business," said Hay. "Making disease prevention and health promotion part of the corporate culture is essential. Sure, it takes effort to shape the work environment to support healthy behaviors but we have the resources to help and the payoff is invaluable - the good health of our employees. "

IBC's Worksite Wellness program offers a full range of innovative health programs with education, engagement, and reminders. Comprehensive employer toolkits are available at www.ibx.com/worksite_wellness and include stress awareness, smoking cessation, weight management, and company walking programs.

About Independence Blue Cross

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

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

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As Biking Popularity Grows, So Must the Spotlight on Safety

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

Independence Blue Cross offers helmet reimbursement for safer bicycling

Philadelphia, PA - June 5, 2009 - Biking has become a popular means of transportation, exercise, recreation, and sport in Philadelphia, where thousands of spectators are gearing up to watch the 2009 Philadelphia Cycling Championship, known to locals as the Manayunk Bike Race, this weekend. No doubt partially spurred by higher gas prices and an increasing focus on living "greener," biking's popularity has exploded in the city by more than 100 percent over the last three years, with Philadelphians making nearly 75,000 bicycle trips a day, according to the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia's 2008 report. Yet the same report estimates that only 31 percent of riders in Center City are wearing bike helmets.

Independence Blue Cross (IBC) encourages everyone in the community to wear helmets while biking. To stress the importance of safety and promote physical fitness, IBC offers each member of a family in its Healthy Lifestyles® program up to $25 toward the purchase of a bike helmet.

About 540,000 bicyclists across the country go to emergency rooms with injuries every year, according to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, and, of those, roughly 67,000 have head injuries.

"Our number one focus is wellness. We encourage our members to stay fit by staying active and bike riding is excellent exercise," said Dr. Es Nash, senior medical director at IBC. "We also promote safety and advise members to wear helmets. A fall off a bike on a city street, a trail path, or a suburban sidewalk can be dangerous, but a sturdy helmet lessens the risk of injury."

Dr. Nash added, "Too often, when I see families bike riding together, the kids are wearing helmets but the parents aren't! Parents, please use our Healthy Lifestyles reimbursement to get a helmet so you're setting a good safety example for your children."

IBC encourages members purchasing bike helmets to be sure the product meets the Consumer Product Safety Commission standard or that it's certified by Snell Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization that, for over fifty years has been dedicated to research, education, testing and development of helmet safety standards. Eligible members may receive one helmet reimbursement per family member per year. To obtain reimbursement, an IBC member simply mails or faxes a copy of the helmet receipt and a completed reimbursement form to IBC within 90 days of purchase. Details are available in the Members section and on www.ibxpress.com.

In addition to bike helmet reimbursements, IBC offers cash back for safety-related programs, including training in CPR, first-aid, and automated external defibrillator essentials. As part of its Healthy Lifestyles program, the company also offers reimbursements and discounts to reward members for making healthy choices, including joining a gym and going regularly and completing a smoking cessation or weight-loss program.

About Independence Blue Cross

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

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

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IBC Showcases First-Year Results of PA Medical Home Initiative at Annual Health Industry Conference

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

Results include improved patient compliance with key tests and greater physician satisfaction

Philadelphia, PA - June 4, 2009 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Senior Vice President of Health Services Richard Snyder, M.D. today highlighted the first-year results from Pennsylvania's Chronic Care Collaborative to health insurance executives and industry professionals attending America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) annual conference. IBC has the largest number of covered members participating in the collaborative.

Launched last May in southeastern Pennsylvania, the collaborative is a patient-centered medical home model that seeks to revolutionize the management of chronic disease through a more personalized, team approach to primary care medicine. The intent is to help patients manage their chronic conditions before health problems get out of control, and to move away from a health system that reacts to acute illness and toward one that prevents it. The collaborative's goal is to save more than a billion dollars in avoidable hospital admissions over a three-year period.

In addition to Dr. Snyder, two other medical experts spoke about the benefits of medical homes: Dr. Paul Grundy, director of Healthcare Transformation at IBM, and founder of the Patient Centered Primary Care Collaborative; and Dr. Renée Jenkins, immediate past president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

After one year, there were notable improvements in compliance with important health metrics among practices participating in the collaborative. For example, 33% more diabetics got control of their blood sugars, 40% more got control of cholesterol, 25% more got control of their blood pressure, and 71% more got diabetic eye exams.

"We're pleased and excited about the progress we've made in our first year to improve patient compliance with key metrics," said Dr. Snyder. "We're equally excited about the enthusiasm of the participating practices who tell us how much they appreciate the support they've received, and the ability to practice medicine the way they believe it was meant to be practiced."

The southeastern Pennsylvania collaborative is the first of seven similar programs that will be launched in Pennsylvania by year end.

How the PA Chronic Care Collaborative works

The collaborative includes 32 primary care practices with more than 150 doctors treating 220,000 patients. The practices use a team approach to provide better-coordinated care - more fluid scheduling so that a patient may see a physician as soon as a problem develops; secure email exchanges between patients and doctors to allow fast, direct communication; and an electronic patient registry that alerts doctors to any gaps in care. Also integral to the model are onsite health educators who help change chronically ill patients' behavior by making sure they receive key tests, take prescribed medications, and generally take better care of themselves.

The participating physicians attend quarterly training programs on improving the way they deliver care to achieve the model's expectations, which are based on the principles of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Physicians.

In addition to Independence Blue Cross, several other health care companies are funding the program. Primary care practices are paid for attending training sessions, and they are reimbursed for initial investments to set up any new systems or hire additional staff. At this point, 28 of the 32 practices have been recognized by NCQA for their adoption of the principles of the Patient Centered Medical Home. More information on this recognition and a listing of the practices is available through www.recognition.ncqa.org.

There is also a compilation of medical home pilot and demonstration projects.

About the AHIP Institute conference

Thousands of health industry leaders are expected to attend AHIP's Institute conference this year in San Diego, California. The three-day conference includes a host of notable keynote speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities.

About Independence Blue Cross

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

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

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Independence Blue Cross Supports 2009 Senior Games

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

More than 2,000 seniors to compete in sports and games throughout the region

Philadelphia, PA - June 1, 2009 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) will once again sponsor the Senior Games, held at various times and locations in May and June in the five-county Philadelphia region. More than 2,000 seniors are expected to show their commitment to staying physically and mentally fit by participating in the games this year.

The games feature a wide variety of activities including swimming, running, golf, bowling, tennis, track and field, horseshoes, dance, shuffleboard, chess, and Scrabble®, sponsored by the Departments of Recreation and/or Services for the Aging in each county.

Winners from counties throughout Pennsylvania will go on to compete in the state games in York, PA, held July 20- 6. State winners will then be invited to participate in the national Senior Games in 2009, which will take place in San Francisco, California August 1-15, and are expected to draw nearly 13,000 participants.

Shirley Ruger of Ridley Park is excited to compete again in the Delaware County games, which run from June 15-19, after having won three gold medals last year. Charged up and smiling from ear to ear, she was back today at the Eddystone ShopRite to defend her gold medal victory in the second-annual Delaware County Senior Games kickoff event, the Race for a Healthy Lifestyle.

The event pairs one senior with a sponsor, and each team's goal is to shop for as many healthy foods as they can in eight minutes, and spend less than $125. "It's so much fun and teaches you a lot about how to shop as economically and healthfully as possible," said Ruger, who along with her sponsor partner Tommy Landy from Independence Blue Cross, took the silver medal. "These games are very important to me. I enjoy being physically fit and I go to the gym everyday. I'm proud to say that I'm 72 years old, but I feel like I'm 50," said Ruger.

IBC has cosponsored the Philadelphia County Senior Games since they began in the late 1980s. "The Games are a fun and competitive activity to bring together not only seniors, but also their families, friends, and the community to achieve a common goal: staying fit and healthy," said Stephen Fera, vice president of Government Programs at IBC.

For more information or to register for the games, seniors can contact their county Department of Recreation or Department of Aging Services. Registration fees, numbers of participants and other details will vary from county to county.

About the Senior Games

The Senior Games were created in 1985 by the National Senior Games Association to promote a healthy, social, and active lifestyle among older adults. The first national games were held in 1987 in St. Louis, MO, with 2,500 participants. For more information visit the National Senior Games Association.

About Independence Blue Cross

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

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Nearly 15,000 Celebrated National Walk @ Lunch Day in Southeastern Pennsylvania

Wed, 27 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

Independence Blue Cross sponsors event to focus on fitting exercise into the workday

Philadelphia, PA - May 27, 2009 - Last month nearly 15,000 employees and students across the Philadelphia region walked toward good health for National Walk @ Lunch Day^SM, sponsored by Independence Blue Cross (IBC). These walkers joined tens of thousands participating simultaneously in walks in all 50 states, demonstrating for working Americans everywhere how to incorporate exercise into their daily routine.

On April 29, walks took place simultaneously in this region at City Hall in Philadelphia and at 55 worksites in the five-county area. The City Hall walk drew a crowd of more than 5,000 walkers, including 300 local high school students. Regular fitness breaks kept the energy level high, and the Phillie Phanatic led walkers on several laps. At noon, walkers heard welcoming remarks from Mayor Michael Nutter, IBC President and CEO Joseph A. Frick, former Philadelphia Eagles coach Dick Vermeil, Daily News columnist and fitness expert Kimberly Garrison, and Benjamin Franklin himself.

"Most Americans spend over half of their waking hours at work," said Frick. "National Walk @ Lunch Day encourages workers to take time out of their busy schedules and go for a walk. Our health needs to be a top priority and this event demonstrates the ease of fitting exercise into the work day."

IBC nearly tripled the number of participants in the Philadelphia area from last year's National Walk @ Lunch Day. This year more than 75 employers, including school districts, corporations, and small businesses, took part in simultaneous walks.

Along with the School District of Philadelphia, a number of local universities and other area school districts participated in this year's event including North Penn School District in Lansdale, which hosted more than 4,000 employee and student walkers. Other walking groups included the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, City of Philadelphia, Comcast, Cozen O'Connor, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and SEPTA.

Since the event, participating employers have begun creating regular walking programs at their workplaces to keep the momentum of National Walk @ Lunch Day going throughout the year.

"The School District of Philadelphia puts emphasis on healthy lifestyles for our employees as well as our students," said Carol Kenney, director of Employee Health Services for the district. "Walking at lunch was a great way to integrate exercise into the day while spending time with co-workers outside the office and classroom, and we are thrilled that through National Walk @ Lunch Day we've been able to encourage a regular routine of walking at lunch toward better health."

"Walking is one of the simplest, safest, and most effective ways to get the regular exercise that we all need," said Dr. Rich Snyder, senior vice president of Health Services at IBC. "But too many Americans aren't getting any exercise at all. Sadly, millions of Americans suffer from illnesses that can be prevented or improved through regular physical activity. Walking at lunch is an excellent way to work it in."

National Walk @ Lunch Day is a component of WalkingWorks^®, a Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association physical activity program that helps Americans live healthier lives and reduce unnecessary medical costs due to physical inactivity. WalkingWorks was developed in partnership with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

About Independence Blue Cross

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

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

IBC Hosts Fair to Celebrate National Senior Health and Fitness Day and Older Americans Month

Wed, 27 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

Area seniors participate in fitness demonstrations and learn simple ways to stay active and healthy

Philadelphia, PA - May 27, 2009 - Area seniors celebrated National Senior Health and Fitness Day and Older Americans Month at a health fair today sponsored by Independence Blue Cross (IBC), in partnership with the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, Philadelphia Senior Center, and the Mayor's Commission on Aging. The fair sought to inform seniors about programs and activities to help them stay healthy, fit, and active.

Approximately 100 seniors attended the free event held at IBC's center city headquarters, and activities included health screenings, giveaways, refreshments, fitness demonstrations by SilverSneakers®, and line dancing. Representatives from Philadelphia's annual Senior Games, set to begin on June 8, were also on hand to provide information and recruit anyone interested in competing.

"We're happy that so many people came by and were active participants in the fitness demonstrations," said Stephen Fera, vice president of Government Programs at IBC. "Everyone seemed to have fun and learned something, too."

Studies show that seniors who regularly exercise benefit through:

improved balance to help prevent falls
better flexibility to speed recovery from injuries
a decrease in age-related muscle loss
increased strength and endurance for climbing stairs, lifting and carrying things
lowered risk of age-related dementia

Charlotte Sweeny, of Philadelphia, made an extra stop during her regular center city walk to drop by the fair. "Walking is my favorite form of exercise," she said. "I take the bus into town every day and then walk at least 10 to 15 blocks, stopping along the way to do my errands. It's a great and productive way to get my workout."

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For more than 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans.

Alan Krigstein Appointed Chief Financial Officer of Independence Blue Cross

Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

Philadelphia, PA - May 21, 2009 - Independence Blue Cross recently announced the appointment of Alan Krigstein as senior vice president and chief financial officer.

In his new role, Krigstein is responsible for the financial functions of the leading health plan in southeastern Pennsylvania and reports to Joseph A. Frick, the organization's president and CEO. Krigstein succeeds John Foos, who retired in November 2008.

"We are fortunate to have added a seasoned financial expert and health insurance veteran to our leadership team," said Frick. "Alan understands the challenges we face to improve access to affordable quality health care and he knows how critically important it is to be innovative, responsive, and fiscally prudent so that we do our part to help rein in health insurance costs for our customers."

Krigstein has more than 35 years experience in the insurance and health care industries. Most recently, he was senior vice president of finance, chief financial officer, and treasurer at AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies, the largest organization of Medicaid managed care plans in the nation, where he had executive oversight of the corporate financial functions and financial oversight of new business development. AmeriHealth Mercy is a partially owned affiliate of Independence Blue Cross.

Krigstein served on the board of CBHNP, a behavioral health company wholly owned by AmeriHealth Mercy, and currently serves on the Board and Finance Committee of Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA), a leading trade association of Medicaid health plans.

Krigstein earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Delaware. He received MHPA's Joy Wheeler Leadership Award in 2008, and was previously nominated for CFO magazine's CFO Excellence Award. Krigstein resides in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.

About Independence Blue Cross

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

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

Independence Blue Cross Appoints John Janney and Stephan Roker as Senior Vice Presidents

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

Philadelphia, PA - May 20, 2009 - The leading health plan in southeastern Pennsylvania, Independence Blue Cross (IBC), recently promoted John R. Janney, Jr. to senior vice president of eBusiness and Support Services and Stephan R. Roker to senior vice president of Operations. Janney will manage operations systems solutions and eBusiness platforms, and Roker will lead all operations for IBC's commercial and Medicare lines of business, including enrollment, claims, and customer service.

"Today's economy presents IBC with a new set of challenges that require a great deal of creative thinking and strategy. John and Stephan both bring a wealth of business experience, leadership, customer focus and energy to their new roles," said Christopher Butler, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Independence Blue Cross. "Each has the responsibility for overseeing essential parts of our business that touch our customers in very important ways, and that ultimately make it easier and faster to do business with our organization."

Janney joined IBC in 1995 to lead the newly formed Marketing Systems Department, where he oversaw the development of a number of projects, including an online application that today handles more than 60,000 quotes for new business annually. In 2000, he was appointed to vice president of eBusiness and Enrollment Services in IBC's eCommerce division. In this role, he worked to develop and deploy all of IBC's eCommerce and operational technologies and provide enrollment services to more than 3.4 million members.

Janney has a B.S. from Philadelphia College of Bible, now known as Philadelphia Biblical University, and earned an M.B.A. from Rutgers University with a special focus in marketing and management information systems. He is also a 2006 graduate of the Leadership Philadelphia Core Program. In addition to his work at IBC, Janney has taught management information systems at Rutgers for the past 18 years. He was recognized as Board Member of the Year for the Arts and Business Council Business on Board in 2005, served on the board of ePhiladelphia, and currently serves on the board of the Philadelphia Children's Theatre.

Stephan Roker joined IBC in 2007 as vice president of Processing Services where he was responsible for claims and adjustments processing, as well as claims quality assurance. He previously worked with Bank of America Card Services (formerly MBNA) for ten years in various areas including Business Development, Sales, Fraud, Customer Service, and Credit Operations.

Roker graduated with a B.A. in political science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and earned his master's degree in business administration from the New York Institute of Technology. He is a member of the current class of Leadership Philadelphia's Core Program. He is currently an advisory board member of IBC's corporate volunteer program, the Blue Crew, and he also serves on the board of Education Works.

About Independence Blue Cross

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

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

Independence Blue Cross Recognized as Area Leader for Student Workforce Development

Thu, 07 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

Philadelphia, PA - May 7, 2009 - Providing work opportunities and career development for students has long been a part of Independence Blue Cross's social mission, and today the company was recognized for those contributions with the Governor's Achievement Award, presented at the 25th Annual Pennsylvania Partners Employment, Training, and Education Conference in Hershey, PA. The conference is one of the nation's longest-running meetings of its kind focused on workforce development.

The Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board, an employer-led body that oversees workforce development policy in Philadelphia, nominated Independence Blue Cross (IBC), citing the company's investment in several programs that put students to work, and increase their career awareness and future employability.

In partnership with WorkReady Philadelphia, the city's initiative for helping youth find work opportunities, IBC has invested in the futures of more than 500 students since 2003. This includes paid summer internships for high school students; Shadowing Day, which exposes 9th graders to various careers, and Business Mentoring Youth, an after-school, work-based mentoring program for 10th graders.

"The business community has the ability and, even more, the responsibility to offer our young people a helping hand, and to assist them in developing useful business and interpersonal skills, and the self-confidence they'll need to succeed as adults," said Joseph A. Frick, Independence Blue Cross president and chief executive officer. "We're pleased to be able to provide a variety of work and mentoring opportunities for our city's youth, to nurture them, and hopefully encourage them to stay and work in our region after they finish high school."

As chair of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Frick helped engage and rally the business community around the WorkReady program. During his tenure, employer-paid internships nearly tripled from 400 jobs to more than 1,500, and the program continues to be a dynamic and essential part of the city's workforce development efforts.

About WorkReady

WorkReady Philadelphia, www.workreadyphila.org, is the City's system to prepare 14-to 21-year-old youth to become a highly-skilled 21st century workforce for the City and region. WorkReady coordinates the City's existing youth employment programs, and also seeks to expand the number of high-quality experiences available for Philadelphia young people.

About Independence Blue Cross

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Record Numbers Turn Out for the 30th Annual Blue Cross Broad Street Run

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

Philadelphia, PA - May 4, 2009 - The 30th annual Blue Cross Broad Street Run broke participation records yesterday as more than 23,000 runners completed the nation's largest 10-miler beginning at Broad and Somerville Streets and ending at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. This year's winners were Linus Maiyo in the men's division with a time of 47 minutes, 21 seconds, and Jane Murage in the women's race, who finished in 53 minutes, 31 seconds.

Since it began in 1980 with nearly 1,600 runners, the event sponsored by Independence Blue Cross and organized by the Philadelphia Department of Recreation, has become one of the region's most popular springtime races. The top male and female winners each received a $1,500 prize and an etched glass trophy, and will have their names added to the Independence Cup, a silver trophy engraved with the names of winners from the past 29 years.

"The Blue Cross Broad Street Run brings a special energy and excitement to our entire community - runners and non-runners alike. It's inspiring to see so many people, including more than 8,300 of our own members, doing something so positive to improve their health," said Joseph A. Frick, Independence Blue Cross president and chief executive officer. "We are proud to have been part of this signature event for the past 13 years, and we congratulate all the runners for their commitment to being healthy and for their achievement."

"We're so happy that the Blue Cross Broad Street Run continues to be one of the most popular races in our region, and that people keep coming back year after year to run," said Jim Marino, Race Director from the Philadelphia Department of Recreation. "I can't thank enough all the dedicated staff, volunteers, runners, spectators, and sponsors who make this event such a success."

Independence Blue Cross continued its "10 for 10" program launched last year, where eligible IBC members who registered for and completed the race received credit for ten gym visits, good toward their IBC Healthy Lifestyles^SM Fitness Reimbursement Program. Through the program, members can collect $150 when they attain 120 annual gym visits. The company also enhanced its website this year, adding training videos, and additional tips and interactive information for runners.

The race benefits the American Cancer Society. All donations and pledge money goes to cancer research and patient care.

Taking second and third places in the men's division were Worku Beyi with a time of 47:25 and Alene Reta with a time of 47:57. In the women's division, Buznesh Deba, captured second place with a time of 54:44 and alemtsehay misganaw took third place with a time of 54:47.

Tony Nogueira of Glen Ridge, NJ won the as the first place men's finisher in the wheelchair race for the seventh straight year, with a time of 35:57, and Jacqui Kapinowski led the women with a time of 56:23.

About the Blue Cross Broad Street Run

The Blue Cross Broad Street Run is managed by the Philadelphia Recreation Department with the cooperation of city agencies and more than 60 volunteer groups. The race is held the first Sunday in May, and the course includes a variety of Philadelphia neighborhoods along Broad Street. The race raises funds for the American Cancer Society. Last year, more than 19,000 runners finished the race, including more than 6,600 IBC members. For more information, visit www.broadstreetrun.com.

About Independence Blue Cross

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Estimated 10,000 to Participate in Region's Second Annual National Walk @ Lunch Day April 29, 2009

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

Philadelphia, PA - April 29, 2009 - Five thousand Independence Blue Cross associates and other Philadelphia employees will walk for good health at City Hall, joining thousands of other walkers across the region and the country.

WHO:	Mayor Michael A. Nutter; Joseph A. Frick, President and CEO, Independence Blue Cross; Kimberly Garrison, fitness expert, columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News; Dick Vermeil, former coach for the Philadelphia Eagles; Ben Franklin, actor-historian; An estimated 10,000 employees from Center City and suburban employers. Dr. Rich Snyder, Independence Blue Cross senior medical director, available for interviews.
WHAT:	Independence Blue Cross will host Philadelphia's second annual National Walk @ Lunch Day, encouraging Philadelphians to take a brisk walk during lunch and demonstrating how easy it is to fit regular exercise into a normal work day and busy lifestyle. Similar walks will take place at more than 60 companies and school districts throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and across the country in a national program sponsored by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
WHEN:	Wed., April 29, 10:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Mayoral proclamation at noon)
WHERE:	Philadelphia's City Hall - Dilworth Plaza, and 60 suburban locations
INFO:	See more information here: National Walk @ Lunch Day on WPVI-TV
WHY:	IBC is committed to promoting wellness and healthy lifestyles, and is sponsoring the event to help members stay well and to show that walking during lunchtime is a great way to fit exercise into a busy day, with many health benefits.

Members of the media are invited to participate in this fun, health-oriented event at City Hall.

Independence Blue Cross

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

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

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Area Seniors Rally to Support Medicare Advantage Health Plans

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

Members share stories, write letters, and videotape messages to Congress opposing funding cuts

Philadelphia, PA - April 28, 2009 - Area senior and disabled members of Medicare Advantage plans today joined together for a rally to share stories about how they benefit from their health plans and voice their concerns about recently announced federal funding cuts, which are expected to result in higher plan premiums.

Invited members from local Medicare Advantage plans, including Independence Blue Cross, learned about legislative activity in Washington, DC, and wrote letters and videotaped messages to their elected officials to tell them how vital they believe these plans are for area seniors. The issue is particularly important to members who may have to drop their current coverage if rates increase, and return to a traditional Medicare plan, which has higher out-of-pocket costs and fewer benefits like comprehensive wellness and disease management programs.

Held at Penns Landing Caterers on Columbus Boulevard in Philadelphia, the meeting is hosted by the Coalition for Medicare Choices, a national advocacy group of more than 810,000 Americans with Medicare Advantage health coverage. Similar meetings are being held in other cities throughout the country.

"I really appreciate the coverage I have with my Keystone 65 Medicare Advantage plan," said Michael DiRenzo of Philadelphia. "I have wonderful care and great doctors with this plan. It has also saved me from high out-of-pocket costs when I recently had a hernia operation."

Medicare Advantage plans offer a different approach to health care coverage than beneficiaries experience under fee-for-service Medicare. Instead of focusing almost exclusively on treating beneficiaries when they are sick, these plans place a strong emphasis on preventive health care services that help keep beneficiaries healthy.

In Pennsylvania, nearly 38 percent of Medicare beneficiaries - 840,000 seniors and the disabled - are covered by Medicare Advantage plans. Independence Blue Cross, southeastern Pennsylvania's largest Medicare plan, covers 140,000 people.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, which proposed the funding cuts, have reported that Medicare Advantage enrollees are saving an average of nearly $90 per month through improved benefits and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to what they would pay in the Medicare fee-for-service program. Additionally, according to a recent independent survey by Ayres, McHenry & Associates and the Feldman Group, 90 percent of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans are satisfied with their coverage overall.

"We're deeply concerned about the impact funding cuts will have through increases in premiums and costs for services both locally and nationally on some of the most vulnerable people in our population," said Steve Fera, vice president for Government Programs at Independence Blue Cross. "We're pleased to see so many members come out today to voice their support for their plans and to do what they can to protect their valued benefits. We're committed to continuing to make quality health care affordable for our Medicare members and to providing them with information and resources to help them make the best decision they can about their health coverage."

About Independence Blue Cross

About the Coalition for Medicare Choices

The Coalition for Medicare Choices is a rapidly growing organization of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. More than 810,000 Americans in all 50 states have joined the Coalition to protect the benefits they receive through their Medicare Advantage plans. For more information, please visit www.medicarechoices.org/.

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Independence Blue Cross Hosts "Wellness Tour," Gives Free Health Screenings at Local Courthouses

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

Blue Cross Broad Street Run Sponsor Promotes Benefits of Exercise and Healthy

Philadelphia, PA - April 20, 2009 - Independence Blue Cross, the region's leading health insurer and title sponsor of the Blue Cross Broad Street Run, today launches its third annual Wellness Tour to promote healthy lifestyles and regular exercise.

From April 20 through April 30, the Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Wellness Van will travel to county courthouses throughout the Delaware Valley. Visitors to the van can take advantage of free blood pressure screenings and skin checks that help detect abnormalities. Participants will be entered into a drawing for a Philadelphia-themed gift package that includes Eagles autographed sports memorabilia and tickets to the Please Touch Museum. Registration information for the May 3rd Blue Cross Broad Street Run, which IBC has sponsored for 13 consecutive years, will also be available.

"Our van's spring Wellness Tour gives us a chance to talk to people about healthy living and offer free blood pressure and skin screenings to make it easier to stay well," said Joseph A. Frick, Independence Blue Cross president and chief executive officer. "Our sponsorship of the upcoming Blue Cross Broad Street Run is another way we encourage people to live healthier. By getting active, they can feel better and live longer."

The Wellness Van will also be available for blood pressure screenings at City Hall in Philadelphia on April 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. during National Walk @ Lunch Day, which IBC is sponsoring for the second year. More information about this event can be found by visiting www.ibx.com/news_events/events/walk_at_lunch/index.html.

Area residents can stop by the Wellness Van on the following days:

April 20 11-2 p.m. Bucks County Courthouse, Doylestown, PA
April 22 11-1 p.m. Montgomery County Courthouse, Norristown, PA
April 27 11-2 p.m. Chester County Courthouse, West Chester, PA
April 29 10:30 - 2:30 p.m. National Walk @ Lunch Day, Philadelphia, City Hall
April 30 11-2 p.m. Delaware County Courthouse, Media, PA

About the Blue Cross Broad Street Run

The Blue Cross Broad Street Run is managed by the Philadelphia Recreation Department with the cooperation of city agencies and more than 45 volunteer groups. The race is held the first Sunday in May, and the course includes a variety of Philadelphia neighborhoods along Broad Street. The race raises funds for the American Cancer Society. Last year, more than 19,000 runners finished the race, including more than 6,600 IBC members. For more information, visit www.broadstreetrun.com /.

About Independence Blue Cross

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Study Shows Consumers With High Deductible Health Plans Are More Savvy About Controlling Costs

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

Research indicates there is room for further education among consumers

Philadelphia, PA - April 15, 2009 - Research released today from Independence Blue Cross (IBC) shows that health care consumers who choose high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) - which feature lower premiums and higher deductibles, and focus on prevention and education - are more likely than members of other health plans to choose lower cost care options, such as generics versus brand drugs, and take better care of their health.

IBC recently commissioned two in-depth studies to learn more about employer groups' and consumers' attitudes towards taking active roles in their health care - known as consumerism - and whether their behaviors back up their beliefs. More broadly, health care consumerism refers to empowering consumers by transforming how they make choices about the price, quality, and value of health care products and services.

"We are working with employer groups to address the challenge of providing cost-effective, quality health care, as the emergence of consumerism is rapidly changing the health care industry," said Dr. Esther Nash, senior medical director and co-chair for the Office of Consumerism at IBC. "Our research concludes that people are beginning to understand the importance of choosing healthier lifestyles, asking their physicians more questions about treatment options, and proactively making the right decisions for their wellness. The role of the health care consumer has become more and more prominent."

"We are committed to providing the products, tools, and incentives to empower consumers to take an active role in their health care decisions," said Scott Post, vice president of Marketing and co-chair for IBC's Office of Consumerism. "We strive for optimum member health that results in medical cost savings and this is part of a major revolution in the health care industry."

"Everyone plays a role in this transformation, from the broker who sells health care plans, to the employer who offers health coverage to his employees, to the physician who treats patients, to the end consumers who ultimately make the decisions that play a huge part in how healthy they are," he added.

IBC's Office of Consumerism, formed in 2007, sets the company's consumerism strategy, implements projects to benefit health care consumers, and collaborates with business partners and employer groups to expand consumerism efforts.

IBC's research found:

HDHP members more engaged. Consumers in high-deductible plans appear to be more engaged in making health care decisions than consumers in more traditional managed care plans such as HMOs or PPOs. This is especially true when it comes to managing a chronic condition. Fifty-seven percent of HDHP members with chronic conditions say they are actively involved in treatment decisions, versus 37 percent of members who are in other managed care plans.
Demand for high-deductible plans growing. In the Philadelphia market, adoption of HDHPs is growing, and in 2008, IBC saw a 109 percent increase in HDHP enrollment. As employers deal with more challenging times, more may begin to offer HDHPs as a cost saving option that will also encourage their employees to become better-educated consumers of health care.
Health plans regarded as a key source of information. Consumers are not yet confident in their ability to make health care decisions and they continue to look for guidance from traditional sources such as friends, family, and their physicians. However, consumers have now begun to regard their health plans as a viable source for information, particularly when exploring treatment options or the cost of care.
Price matters - sometimes. Overall, consumers are not yet willing to be inconvenienced to get a better price for health care. However, HDHP members are more likely to take actions for a better price such as using a primary care physician over a specialist or changing the location for taking a diagnostic test. When consumers do ask questions, they primarily pertain to the cost of prescription drugs. The number one health care decision where consumers said they would make a choice to save money is opting for a generic over a brand name prescription drug.
Employers willing to reward workers; employees willing to participate. Half of employers surveyed said they are likely to offer a wellness rewards program to their workforce and believe it will lead to healthier employees. Nearly 85 percent of the surveyed employers believe that the best way to control health care costs is for people to take better care of themselves. Approximately two-thirds of consumers would be likely to participate in incentive programs if offered. Consumers also said if their employers offered incentive programs, it would show that they cared about their employees.
Plans promote well-being. The majority of consumers believe their health plans want to help them improve or maintain their health. This was particularly true of IBC members; 81 percent of IBC members felt this way versus 67 percent of other carriers' members. When asked why, consumers pointed to IBC's coverage for preventive care and incentives for healthy behavior. IBC members were more likely than members of other plans to mention the availability of IBC's wellness programs, such as incentives to exercise, lose weight, or quit smoking.

"We are encouraged by these survey outcomes and look forward to similar employer and consumer studies scheduled to be conducted later this year," said Post. "This way we will be able to gauge the impact of our efforts to educate the health care consumer and offer appropriate tools and programs. Over the long run, we expect the consumerism movement to result in greater awareness of wellness, improved long-term health for consumers of our region, and a strong potential for lowering medical cost trends to help employers control health care costs."

IBC offers many ways for members to become engaged in health care decisions. For example, a pilot program of Healthy Lifestyles^SM Rewards, an incentive program to help members work toward a healthier lifestyle, was launched earlier this year with four employers, and will be offered to employers with more than 100 employees, beginning July 2009. Healthy Lifestyles Rewards allows employers to reward employees' healthy behavior with gift cards.

The two consumerism surveys commissioned by IBC were conducted online by DSS Research, a national research firm headquartered in Fort Worth, Tex. The Consumerism Study interviewed several thousand southeastern Pennsylvania consumers in August 2008 who were insured either by IBC or another carrier. The employer group study was conducted in November 2008 among 225 organizations in the Philadelphia area. All employers had at least 100 employees who participate in their health plans.

About Independence Blue Cross

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

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

Consumerism Study

View the results of IBC's Consumerism study.

View study