Press Release

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

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.

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. More information about Independence Blue Cross is available at www.ibx.com.

Important information about links to other sites