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Press Release

Independence Blue Cross Ranks Among The Top Medicare Plans in PA by National Committee For Quality Assurance/Us News & World Report

Philadelphia, PA - October 29, 2006 - Keystone 65, an Independence Blue Cross Medicare health plan, is among the top ranked Medicare offerings in Pennsylvania, according to a joint report from The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) published today in U.S. News & World Report.

Appearing in the magazine's annual rating of the nation's top health plans, the report ranks health plans according to their clinical performance, patient experience, and patient satisfaction, as well as their NCQA accreditation status. Keystone 65 has received the highest possible rating by NCQA annually since 1999.

"We are pleased to be distinguished as the highest ranking Medicare plan in our region," said Joseph A. Frick, president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross (IBC). "By offering an increasing variety of solid Medicare programs every year since the federal program began in 1966, we have demonstrated our deep commitment to our senior members."

The rankings in U.S. News & World Report are based on several categories of data collected by NCQA. These sources include annual scores for "effectiveness of care" measures (e.g. mammography and colorectal cancer screening rates), annual member satisfaction survey scores, and NCQA Accreditation Survey results.

By 2030, Pennsylvania will be among 10 states to have more people age 65 and older than under 18, according to a report issued by the U.S. Census Bureau in April 2005.

"With seniors the fastest growing segment of our region's population, we are dedicated to ensuring that seniors have the highest quality and most affordable health coverage possible," said Frick. "We will continue to develop inventive health solutions for older Americans that help them live healthier lives."

About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For nearly 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered quality health care products and services tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, groups and providers.

About NCQA
NCQA is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to improve health care quality. The organization measures and reports on various aspects of performance and offers a range of accreditation and certification programs for different entities and individual physicians. Visit us online at www.ncqa.org or, for information about health plans and physicians, www.healthchoices.org.

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