Insurance Giant Leverages Technology to Enhance Offerings

Health Care Service Corporation's Technology Investments Streamline Processes,
According to a New Report from HealthLeaders-InterStudy

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a
leading provider of managed care market intelligence, reports that Health Care
Service Corporation is utilizing enterprise-wide technology-based initiatives
to increase efficiency and serve its members. According to the new report
entitled Blue Profiler: Health Care Service Corporation, the company's
financial position enables it to invest in information technology that helps
distinguish it from competition. Health Care Service Corporation is the
largest of the nonprofit Blue plans.
According to the report, Health Care Service Corporation launched a brand-
wide e-prescribing initiative in 2007 with MEDecision Inc. which provides
software, services and clinical content for healthcare payers to improve
efficiency and reduce cost. In June 2008, Health Care Service Corporation
reached an agreement to purchase MEDecision Inc.
"Health Care Service Corporation is in a unique position because of its
size. As a result, it has the ability to maintain an ownership stake in many
of the technology initiatives with which it is involved," said Bill Melville,
analyst with HealthLeaders-InterStudy and co-author of the report.
Another example of its technology use is the company's application of the
real-time claims system, Availity, which creates administrative efficiencies
and helps with provider relations.
Additionally, Health Care Service Corporation has combined its technology
capabilities with its wellness offerings with the launch of BlueCare Dental
Connection, a tool that compares a member's medical and dental history to
deliver a customized plan to promote better health.
"Traditionally, Health Care Service Corporation has been at the forefront
of wellness initiatives," noted Melville. "The BlueCare Dental Connection is
an example of how the company is using its technology capabilities to deliver
a product that is unique in the industry."
Blue Profiler: Health Care Service Corporation provides an overview of the
enterprise as a whole and examines its operations in Illinois, New Mexico,
Oklahoma and Texas. It is one of 15 Blue Profiler reports for 2008 covering
the nation's largest nonprofit Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, which together
insure more than 50 million people.
About Blue Profiler
Blue Profiler offers the most comprehensive analysis of the nonprofit Blue
Cross Blue Shield plans. Each report focuses on an individual nonprofit Blue
plan and includes valuable analysis that will allow companies to more
effectively partner with these dominant organizations. Each report includes
information on: -- Competitive analysis
-- Enrollment trends
-- Company-wide financials
-- HMO financials
-- Consumer-driven products
-- Medicare strategy
-- Pharmacy
-- Disease management

About HealthLeaders-InterStudy
HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a company of Decision Resources, Inc., is the
authoritative source for managed care data and analysis. For more information,
please visit http://www.HealthLeaders-InterStudy.com.
All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
For more information, contact:
Elizabeth Marshall
Decision Resources
781-296-2563
emarshall@dresources.com

SOURCE HealthLeaders-InterStudy

Elizabeth Marshall of Decision Resources, +1-781-296-2563,
emarshall@dresources.com