Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio Harnesses Social Media To Interact with...

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio Harnesses Social Media To Interact
with Members

CINCINNATI, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Not just for teens anymore -- social
networking and media tools such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are being
used by adults to interact with their friends, families and to gain
information. Now, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield members can add these
tools to the list of ways to interact with their health insurer. In an effort
to remain engaged and responsive to its members like never before, Anthem Blue
Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio is leveraging highly interactive social media
communities as a way to interact with its members, and for members to interact
with Anthem.

"At Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, we recognize that more teens, adults
and even seniors are logging online to network, blog or even 'tweet' about
their daily activities and preferences," said Erin Hoeflinger, president of
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio. "Tools such as Twitter and Facebook
provide an additional means of communicating with our members and all
consumers in the communities we serve in a way that's convenient and of
interest for them."

Currently, Anthem is piloting a program in which it uses Twitter to identify
members who may have questions or concerns about their health benefits.
Twitter allows Anthem to communicate and stay connected through the exchange
of quick, real time conversation, and respond to each tweet about Anthem.
Members can follow Anthem on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AnthemHealth.

Twitter is also one component of Anthem's collaboration with Bob Harper from
"The Biggest Loser" to provide information and tools to help members and
people in our communities live healthy lives. After only one month since the
launch, more than 3,500 people are following Bob's regular tweets with tips on
how to get healthy and stay healthy at www.twitter.com/BobHarperAnthem.

Additionally, Anthem is also utilizing Facebook
(www.facebook.com/anthemhealthfootprint) to create a community where people
can interact with Anthem and with each other, and learn about how our health
is connected and how one person's healthy behaviors can positively affect
someone else's health behaviors. Anthem is also launching a brand channel on
YouTube (www.youtube.com/AnthemHealthConnects) to create a vital and viral
community around health and wellness.

"Building relationships with our members and showing the human face of our
company is critical, especially today when so many rely on online tools and
communications for all aspects of their lives, but even more so with something
as personal as health care," said Kate Quinn, vice president of corporate
marketing for Anthem's parent company. "Social media provide a great
opportunity for us to engage our members, listen to them and be more
responsive."

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Community Insurance
Company, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
((R))ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The
Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue
Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue
Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio is available at www.anthem.com.

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio

Media Contact: Kim Ashley, (513) 682-8863