CHAPEL HILL, N.C., April 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), the state’s largest health insurer, was the fastest growing Blue plan in the past three years, increasing its membership by an average of more than 15 percent per year.
BCBSNC received national attention recently for its success, winning a Brand Excellence Award from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The company’s brisk enrollment growth was the leading factor in that award. Other factors included the public’s overall awareness of the company.
“Our growth demonstrates our success in offering attractive health insurance products, great service and competitive prices,” said BCBSNC President and CEO Bob Greczyn. “We’re committed to remaining North Carolina’s health insurer of choice by continuing to offer customers what they want.”
BCBSNC was cited for the growth in its medical insurance members, which increased from 1.5 million in the third quarter of 2000 to 2.3 million in the third quarter of 2003. Numbers considered in the award excluded vision and dental plan members, as well as members that BCBSNC serves on behalf of other Blue plans. BCBSNC’s overall membership has now topped 3 million, including about 500,000 members served on behalf of other Blue plans.
BCBSNC was among 10 Blue plans nationwide honored with Brand Excellence awards, which recognize plans whose excellence in their local markets enhances the overall image and value of Blue Cross and Blue Shield brands. Criteria considered in the awards include enrollment growth, brand perception and customer loyalty.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is a leader in delivering innovative health care products, services and information to approximately 3 million members, including approximately 500,000 served on behalf of other Blue plans. The company offers its members the Blue Extras(SM) value-added programs, which provide discounts and information on a wide variety of health- related services at no additional cost. BCBSNC also offers life, dental, long- term care and disability insurance products. For 70 years, the company has served its customers by offering access to quality health care at a competitive price and has served the people of North Carolina through support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. BCBSNC’s HMO and POS products have earned Excellent Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), an independent, not-for- profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of health care delivered to people everywhere. BCBSNC also has North Carolina’s first and only NCQA accredited PPO plan - Blue Options(SM). 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: Mark Stinneford, +1-919-765-3745, or Gena Arthur,+1-919-765-2916, both of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
Web site: http://www.bcbsnc.com/
