Independence Blue Cross Gives Its Web Site a New Look With New Capabilities for Visitors

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting today, the more than 13,000 daily visitors to ibx.com will find a new and improved web site - one that features a new design and a host of enhancements to the ibxpress portal through which members can do business with Independence Blue Cross.

Improvements to the site include: -- More Product & Service Information: Get details on IBC's new products, including our recently expanded Flex Series of benefit plans. -- Expanded Member Portal: Our ibxpress member portal is bigger and better, allowing members to personalize their web page and sign up for Healthy Lifestyles(SM) programs online. -- Personalization: Members can choose from more than 30 health topics and receive up-to-date information and articles on topics of their choice. For example, members interested in physical fitness can choose to receive basic fitness information as part of their ibxpress homepage. Preference topics include recipes, fitness and basic health information for those with chronic conditions such as diabetes or asthma. -- Enhanced Claims & Health Expenditure Monitoring: Now members can view enhanced claims information or receive a report regarding their health care expenditures. Links to health information and IBC's prescription benefits manager, AdvancePCS, will also be available. And Keystone Health Plan East members now can view their referrals on ibxpress. -- Enhanced Provider Search: Looking for a doctor? Our provider search engine is now easier for members to find and utilize.

"At Independence Blue Cross, we encourage our members to take an active role in their health care," says G. Fred DiBona, Jr. President and CEO of Independence Blue Cross. "Offering online access to management tools, decision support and health information empowers our members to become active, well-educated health care consumers, which in turn helps members make informed health care decisions and improves health outcomes."

User surveys and feedback from members and visitors to the site were utilized in creating the new design.

"We've made ibxpress an online destination that will help members better manage activities associated with their health," says Chris Rathke, manager of electronic communications at IBC. "By providing the information our members are most interested in, we can make a visit to ibx.com and ibxpress a truly personalized experience."

Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.5 million people.

Independence Blue Cross

CONTACT: Butch Ward of Independence Blue Cross, +1-215-241-2220