New Blue Care Network Product Can Reduce Health Care Costs For Employers and Their Employees by Rewarding Healthy Lifestyles

Healthy Blue LivingSM emphasizes personal responsibility and commitment to wellness

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mediarelations@bcbsm.com

SOUTHFIELD, July 10, 2006 - A new Blue Care Network of Michigan health care product that rewards people for adopting healthy lifestyles and can save employers an average of 10 percent in premiums will be available Oct. 1.

The new product, Healthy Blue Living^SM, encourages employees and their spouses to take charge of their health with support from their primary care physicians and BCN. In exchange for lower copayments and deductibles, people commit to healthy lifestyles. 

"Healthy Blue Living meets a marketplace demand for a product that conforms to the proposition that if you take better care of your health, you will pay less in health care coverage," said Kevin Seitz, BCN president and CEO. "Blue Care Network and its employer groups and affiliated physicians will partner together with members to optimize health outcomes and reduce health care costs. Healthy Blue Living is a brand new, innovative and cost-effective product that is a win-win for both employers and their employees."

There are two benefit levels: standard and enhanced. All employees initially receive the enhanced benefit package. To qualify to stay in the enhanced package, which offers lower copayments and deductibles, the employee and his or her spouse must do the following during the first 90 days of coverage:

• Commit to healthy lifestyles.
• Complete a BlueHealthConnection^® Health Risk Appraisal during the first 90 days of coverage. BlueHealthConnection is the Michigan Blues' health management program. The appraisal can be done online, which provides a comprehensive picture of a member's current health and health risks, along with suggestions for minimizing those risks. Medical conditions or unhealthy behaviors do not automatically preclude a member from qualifying for the enhanced benefit level, provided the member commits to and actually follows the recommended care plan which will be closely monitored by his or her physician.

• Complete a member qualification form. After completing the health risk appraisals, the employee and spouse each fill out a member qualification form with their respective primary care physician. Points are given for favorable results or behaviors in six categories: alcohol use, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, smoking status and weight. These six categories were selected because they are the leading causes of chronic illness and costs which can be controlled. A point total of 80 or more qualifies a person for the enhanced benefit level. The primary care physician will develop an individualized care plan as necessary. Children of members receiving the enhanced benefit are automatically covered under that plan, and do not have to fill out the health risk appraisal or member qualification forms.

  All members also will have access to BlueHealthConnection care management programs and services. These include free smoking cessation and weight loss programs, and free award-winning programs that focus on health education and assist with chronic illness. In addition, experienced BCN health coaches will be available to work with some members on an individual basis to help guide them through the management of particular health issues.

  Employers also have an important role in supporting their employees in adopting and leading healthier lives. Employers will be required to offer a smoke-free work environment in order to purchase the product. They also will be strongly encouraged to promote physical activity at work, and to offer healthy food choices in vending machines and cafeterias.

  Throughout the entire process, confidentiality is ensured. An employer will not know in which benefit program a particular employee is enrolled. The employer also does not see any completed member qualification forms, ensuring patient-doctor confidentiality.

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  Blue Care Network of Michigan has more than 450,000 members, award-winning disease management programs and the largest HMO network of physicians and hospitals in the state, with more than 3,200 primary care physicians, 9,300 specialists and 110 hospitals. Blue Care Network is the HMO affiliate of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.