Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of Florida Reports Sixteenth Consecutive Year Of Positive Performance

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- In remarks presented today during Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida’s annual policyholders’ meeting, Chris Doerr, chief financial officer, reported that 2004 marked the company’s sixteenth consecutive year of positive performance.

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Doerr said the company increased enrollment in its health business by 187,000 new members in 2004, posted positive financial gains and enhanced policyholders’ equity.

“It is within the framework of our mission and vision that we focus on our ultimate goal, which is providing our members access to quality, affordable health care,” said Doerr. “We create innovative products, seek to deliver superior customer service, and strive to increase satisfaction with our members, physicians and providers, employers, distribution channels and a host of other partners.”

Doerr also noted that millions of Floridians depend on BCBSF to protect the health of themselves and their loved ones and added, “It is a tremendous responsibility, but one that we are well equipped, and very honored, to manage.”

Also at the meeting, Dr. Robert I. Lufrano, chairman and CEO of BCBSF, was re-elected to a three-year board term and Henry H. Beckwith, senior vice president of W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractors, Inc., was re-elected to a one- year board term. Other board activity announced today included the retirement of board members Hugh Brown and Walter S. McLin. Brown was a board member for 10 years and McLin served for 20 years.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida is a leader in Florida’s health industry. BCBSF and its subsidiaries serve more than 7.1 million people. Since 1944, the company has been dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of all those it serves by offering an array of choices. BCBSF is a not-for-profit, policyholder-owned, tax-paying mutual company. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., BCBSF is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information concerning BCBSF, please see its Web site at http://www.bcbsfl.com .

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CONTACT: Lisa Acheson Luther, BCBSF, +1-904-905-3402, or cellular,+1-904-536-9957