FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      
Contact:  
Margaret Jarvis
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
972-766-7165
or margaret_jarvis@bcbstx.com

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Launches Consumer Plans with Greater Choice, Flexibility, Savings

    January 30, 2005 - As nationwide enrollment in insurance plans that offer health savings accounts has tripled to 3 million people in the last 10 months, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) has announced the addition of new and innovative products to its BlueEdge portfolio of consumer-directed health plans. The products are designed to give consumers greater choice and control in directing the health benefits provided by their employers, and to give employers greater flexibility in how they can deliver on their health benefits strategy.

    "As health care costs continue to increase, employers and consumers are looking for tools that can help them control and even reduce these costs," said Martin Foster, president of BCBSTX. "By combining the cost efficiency of a high deductible health plan, the convenience of a PPO network and the funding advantages inherent in Health Savings and Health Reimbursement Accounts, our BlueEdge benefit designs empower employers to better manage health care costs, while at the same time offering tools and incentives to help employees make better health care decisions."
   
    Currently, BCBSTX covers nearly (number) individuals in consumer-directed health plans. Members enrolled in the new BlueEdge plans were able to begin receiving benefits as of Jan. 1. In addition to the BlueEdge Health Care Account and the BlueEdge Health Savings Account, the recently added products include:

• BlueEdge Wellness Rewards: rewards employees for wellness activities such as physicals and other preventive care services
• BlueEdge FSA First: offers Flexible Savings Accounts for employers who want more flexibility in how healthcare dollars are accessed
• BlueEdge Vitality: option to help fund retiree benefits
• Limited purpose HCA plans that are compatible with HSA products
• Integrated prescription drug plans

   
    The BlueEdge plans also include powerful online decision support and education tools, such as the Treatment Cost Estimator and the Personal Health Manager that help employees track and manage their health expenditures on a personalized, secure Web site. Employees can earn incentives and rewards for healthy choices, as well as access health and wellness information and health provider comparison tools through seamlessly integrated online educational and transactional capabilities.

    Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas - the only statewide, non-investor-owned health insurer in Texas - is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 40,000 physicians and 400 hospitals to serve more than 3.2 million members in all 254 counties. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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