2009 Press Releases
Baker & McKenzie Signs Lease at Health Care Service Corporation Headquarters, 300 E. Randolph
CHICAGO – Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) has signed a 16-year agreement to lease approximately 230,000 square feet of space in its headquarters building at 300 E. Randolph in Chicago to Baker & McKenzie, a leading global law firm.
Read MoreDeadline Extended: UniCare Policyholders in Illinois Have Until December 7 to Transition Coverage to BCBSIL
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois will offer replacement coverage for UniCare members in Illinois that, in most cases, would have similar benefits and rates. UniCare endorsed BCBSIL and the other Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans operated by Health Care Service Corporation, calling them "the insurers of choice" for its group and individual policyholders.
Read MoreHCSC and UniCare Announce Agreement to Transition Policyholders
Chicago, IL — Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), a non-investor owned company operating Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans in Illinois, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas, and WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP) and its UniCare subsidiaries, announced today that they have reached an agreement to ensure UniCare members have no loss of health insurance coverage as UniCare exits the Illinois and Texas commercial health insurance markets. Under the agreement, HCSC's Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans will offer replacement coverage that, in most cases, provides similar benefits and rates. Where applicable, replacement coverage for dental, vision, life and disability benefits will also be offered.
Read MoreBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Launches Patient-Centered Medical Home Pilot Programs in Chicago Area
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) today announced that it has launched patient-centered medical home pilots with Pronger Smith Medical Care and Elmhurst Clinic, both of which serve patients in Chicago and its suburbs. The goal of patient-centered medical homes is to enhance quality and reduce growth in medical costs by improving the coordination of care.
Read MoreBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Covers H1N1 Vaccine for Members
Chicago, IL — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) announced today that it will waive co-pays and deductibles for the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine.
Read MorePaul S. Boulis, President of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Announces His Retirement
Chicago, IL — Paul S. Boulis, president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL), announced his retirement today, effective December 31, 2009. In his role as the head of Illinois' largest health insurance plan, Boulis has been responsible for all operations, including consumer and group sales and marketing, provider network contracting and management, provider relations, medical policy, medical and disease management, government relations and public affairs. During his tenure, BCBSIL grew to serve more than seven million members and 30,000 employer groups, and offer a network of more than 29,000 health care providers.
Read MoreKaren M. Atwood Named President of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Chicago, IL — Karen M. Atwood has been named president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL), the company announced today. Effective November 1, Atwood will begin to oversee all of BCBSIL's sales and marketing activities; its extensive health, wellness and medical management programs; its health care provider networks and relationships; and its government, public and community relations activities across Illinois.
Read MoreBlue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Reaches Milestone in E-Prescribing: 1 Millionth Script Electronically Written
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) physicians and health providers have reached a major milestone in their e-prescribing efforts - the one millionth prescription script was electronically transmitted to a pharmacy in this month.
Read MoreBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Support Access to Care for All
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) wants all Americans to have access to quality, affordable health care. Shifting who pays for care won’t solve the access problem; controlling spiraling health care costs will. However, this is a challenge given how quickly health care costs and their underlying lifestyle and environmental drivers are increasing.
Read MoreBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois' Regina High Recognized by the American Heart Association
June is a month for celebrations, and for Illinois community affairs coordinator Regina High that meant a trip to Atlanta to be honored by the American Heart Association.
Read MoreBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Awards $1.4 Million Dollars to 14 Community Initiatives in Chicago and Downstate
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) announced today it awarded $1.4 million to 14 Chicago, Springfield, and Quincy, IL-based initiatives designed to teach children how to live healthy lifestyles and help reduce obesity among them. Rather than funding individual organizations, the BCBSIL Health and Wellness Grants support initiatives in underserved neighborhoods that foster collaboration among multiple organizations that traditionally have addressed only individual aspects of childhood health and wellness.
Read MoreBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Employee Wins Corporate Diversity Award
Chicago, IL — Chicago resident Mario Dean was awarded Health Care Service Corporation's (HCSC) 2008 President's Diversity Award, officially known as the "Raymond F. McCaskey Diversity and Inclusion Award." Dean is a support analyst for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, which is operated by HCSC. Members of HCSC's Board of Directors and Senior Leadership Team gathered last night along with others to honor Dean at a special dinner ceremony at HCSC's Chicago headquarters.
Read MoreBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Brings Versatile Availity Platform to Illinois Providers
Availity network gives providers instant access to information about BCBSIL members' eligibility, benefits, claim status and other relevant information; can be expanded to incorporate medical records and a host of additional functionality that can enhance patient care and reduce costs.
Read MoreReining in Costs the Key to Fixing Health System
Health care costs have risen rapidly and are among the fastest growing components of business and personal spending. Rising costs are a major threat to access to health coverage and care. Before passing any health care reforms, we need to address the issues at the root of these rising costs.
Read MoreAsian Health Coalition Recognizes Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois for Outstanding Corporate Leadership
The Asian Health Coalition of Illinois (AHCI) recently announced that it will present its Corporate Leadership award to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) for outstanding efforts to promote health and wellness and for its support of AHCI.
Read MoreHealth Care Service Corporation Ranked as One of the Most Diverse Companies in the Country for 5th Consecutive Year
Chicago, IL — DiversityInc has listed Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, as one of its Top 50 Companies for Diversity® for the fifth year in a row.
Read MoreBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Teams with Chicago Bears Coach Lovie Smith in Diabetes Awareness Drive
Chicago, IL — Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith believes the best offense is a good defense - in football and in preventing diabetes type 2. Sadly, he learned to be vigilant about diabetes in his own family. "Seeing my mother lose her eyesight at a young age motivates me quite a bit. I think about all the things Mom could have seen. She has never seen her grandchildren. Eating right and exercise could have eliminated all that."
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