Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of North Carolina Growth Creates Jobs, Contributes To State Economy

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) today announced an expansion of its North Carolina facilities and the creation of up to 500 new jobs in the state.

"We are proud to announce that new office construction is necessary due to our company's growth," said Bob Greczyn, president and CEO of BCBSNC. "The expansion of our facilities in Durham and Chapel Hill will help us provide better customer service for our increasing membership. Our growth will also benefit North Carolina through increased contributions to the tax base and the creation of more good jobs for North Carolinians."

Greczyn said the company created nearly 400 jobs in the past fifteen months to keep pace with the demands of the company's increasing customer base and that BCBSNC expects to add an additional 100 jobs by the end of 2005. "As our growth creates new jobs, we're committed to keeping them in North Carolina," said Greczyn. "Unlike some of our competitors, we won't be outsourcing these opportunities." BCBSNC currently employs over 3,700 people.

Greczyn was joined in his remarks by Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy; Durham Mayor Pro Tem Cora Cole-McFadden; and Assistant Secretary of Commerce Tony Copeland.

"Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is in a unique position as the only health insurer focused solely on North Carolina," said Greczyn. "Our success is entirely dependent upon the success of this great state. Our future -- and that of our customers -- depends on North Carolina's continued economic growth. We will continue our efforts to keep Blue Cross a reliable, stable presence for our members, and we will do it in ways that foster economic growth for all the citizens of our state."

Greczyn said the planned 29,000-square-foot Durham building will enhance the company's ability to provide services to all 100 North Carolina counties by strengthening existing capabilities in customer service centers in Durham and Winston-Salem and regional offices in Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Hickory, Morrisville and Wilmington. The building site is adjacent to the company's existing Customer Service Center on Ivy Creek Blvd. in Durham's University Place neighborhood near the intersection of US 15-501 and Garrett Rd.

Overall, the company's Durham County presence -- which includes occupancy in two additional University Park area office buildings -- will approach 1,700 employees as the year ends.

Greczyn also noted that the company is planning to update several buildings in the Eastowne office complex in Chapel Hill. The Eastowne facilities currently house over 600 employees. The company's 240,000-square- foot Headquarters building, also located in Chapel Hill, currently houses another 730 employees.

BCBSNC continues to increase its membership each year and was among the nation's fastest growing Blue Plans for three years running, from 2001 through 2003. The company processes more than 100,000 claims daily, representing more than $7 billion per year in payments to hospitals, doctors and other health

care professionals. As the state's largest health insurer, BCBSNC serves more than three million members -- or more than one in three North Carolinians.

BCBSNC is a fully taxed corporation that paid more than $135 million in local, state and federal taxes last year.

About BCBSNC:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is a leader in delivering innovative health care products, services and information to more than 3.2 million members, including approximately 620,000 served on behalf of other Blue Plans. For 71 years, the company has served its customers by offering health insurance at a competitive price and has served the people of North Carolina through support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Access BCBSNC online at http://www.bcbsnc.com.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

CONTACT: Gayle Tuttle, +1-919-765-3747, or Michelle Douglas,+1-919-765-2825, both of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

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