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Press Release

Independence Blue Cross Enhances Online Support to Help Members Stay Healthy

Philadelphia, PA - August 1, 2007 - John is a life-long smoker and dangerously overweight. Every year after his annual check-up, he vows to quit smoking and start a diet on the advice of his doctor, but his resolve never lasts long. Thanks to a new online resource from Independence Blue Cross (IBC), John and other IBC members can get the added support they need each and every day to successfully tackle their health challenges.

The Lifestyle Management Program is an online resource for health assessment and behavioral change tools and is an enhancement of IBC’s ConnectionsSMHealth Management Program. The Lifestyle Management Program offered through Connections, includes personalized tools in the areas of smoking cessation, weight management, diet and nutrition, stress management, fitness and exercise, and back pain. The program contains tools like the Smoke-U-Lator, which calculates how much money a person can save by quitting smoking.

“Most people have good intentions to change unhealthy behaviors, but lack the ongoing support they need to stick to their programs or goals,” said Esther J. Nash, M.D., senior medical director at IBC. “These online modules make health information available to members when it’s convenient for them, in a fast and friendly way.”

Getting started is easy. A member completes an online health questionnaire and receives a tailored plan outlining immediate steps he or she can take to improve their health. Members can enroll in as many topical programs as they wish, and can download resources such as exercise videos and health-oriented recipes. There is no additional cost to members for these value-added health information services.

“IBC is always looking for new ways to help our members become and stay healthy,” adds Nash. “There’s no easy answer, but the more personalized tools you offer, the more opportunities people have to find something that works for them. The online modules complement our existing Healthy Lifestyle programs.”

To enroll in the program, IBC members eligible for ConnectionsSM can log onto ibxpress.com click on Connections Health Management Program, and select the Healthy Living tab of the Dialog Center.

About IBC
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 nearly 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.

In 2006, Independence Blue Cross was nationally recognized by the Disease Management Association of America for ConnectionsSM, its outstanding program that improves the health and well-being of people with chronic illnesses. Independence Blue Cross’s HMO and PPO health care plans have consistently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.