Anthem Blue Cross Federal Employee Program Plan Honored as 'Bes...( Plan honored for service strateg...),Health

Plan honored for service, strategic excellence by federal program

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthem announced today that the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association has awarded its Best of Blue(R) designation to Anthem Blue Cross, as well as to eight other affiliated Blue plans.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association announced the 2007 Best of Blue FEP Plan Excellence winners at its annual FEP National Conference on June 3. The eight Anthem FEP plans that received this designation included the plans in California, Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Maine, Missouri and Virginia. An affiliated plan, Empire BlueCross BlueShield, also received the award. These plans scored an excellent rating of 100 points or more (out of a possible 120) in the Service Profile and Strategic Profile categories of the Plan Incentive Program.

Leslie A. Margolin, president of Anthem Blue Cross, credited the recognition to the hard work and customer focus of FEP associates: "We have a tenured, experienced and committed team that truly cares about our members." She added: "I'm very proud that our plan was recognized and rewarded for its outstanding service on behalf of FEP."

Each plan's Federal Employee Program administers the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association's Service Benefit Plan to U.S. federal employees.

About Anthem Blue Cross:

Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California. Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. (R)ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Association.