Press Release

Independence Blue Cross Receives Two Prestigious Brand Excellence Awards

Recognition Showcases Commitment to Providing Quality Products and Services to IBC Customers

Philadelphia, PA - March 17, 2008 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC), southeastern Pennsylvania’s leading health insurer, announced today that it has received two Brand Excellence Awards from the national Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA).

The annual awards honor Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies nationwide that excel in developing and enhancing the public’s overall opinion of the Blue brand. IBC has received five previous Brand Excellence Awards since the program launched in 1995. IBC was the only plan this year to win multiple awards. IBC last received a Brand Excellence award in 2000.

Award winners are evaluated on six brand excellence categories that are measured by an annual survey conducted by an outside research firm among residents in the local markets of 39 Blue health plans serving more than 60 markets.

This year’s awards recognize Independence Blue Cross for progressive performance in two areas:

• Brand Awareness: The annual survey showed strong positive change in the public’s awareness in the Philadelphia market of IBC’s Blue brand.
• Membership Recommendation: The survey showed a high percentage of IBC members who expressed confidence in the company’s products and services and who are likely to recommend IBC to family and friends.

“We are honored that so many of our members think highly of us and would recommend our health plans to their friends and families,” said Joseph A. Frick, IBC’s president and chief executive officer. “This tells us that we are on the right path, working collaboratively with our members, customer groups, and physician and hospital partners and providing superior service and products to keep people healthy.”

IBC is committed to improving the health of its members and strengthening the well-being of the Philadelphia region. In fact, independent studies show that IBC is top of mind with more consumers and employers than any other health insurer in the region, and IBC is consistently ranked as the region’s most preferred insurer. A 2007 study of IBC showed:

• Nine out of ten IBC members and employer customers are satisfied overall with IBC and would recommend IBC health plans to friends, family and colleagues.
• IBC’s greatest perceived strengths include its extensive network of hospitals and physicians, wellness programs, and the quality of care members receive.
• Approximately 90 percent of IBC members are most satisfied with the freedom their doctors have to make medical decisions, how easy it is to see a specialist, the range of services covered, and IBC’s good reputation, among other things.

“These results are a compliment to the commitment and accomplishments of our talented and dedicated associates,” said Frick. “Our employees are focused on continually driving towards excellence and innovation, which we believe leads to customer satisfaction and loyalty.”

“BCBSA congratulates Independence Blue Cross for its leadership in offering quality products and services,” said Scott P. Serota, BCBSA president and CEO. “We are proud of BCBSA’s nearly 80-year heritage — today Blue plans insure the health of one in three Americans or more than 100 million people.”

BCBSA also gives Brand Excellence Awards in four additional categories: attraction of new customers, fostering loyalty to existing customers, expanding the brands into additional lines of products or services, and provider satisfaction.

Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania, providing coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For 70 years, Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates have 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 Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
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.