Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia Harnesses Social Media to Interact...

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia Harnesses Social Media to
Interact With Members

RICHMOND, VA - Aug. 27, 2009 - 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 Virginia 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 understand that more teens, adults
and even seniors are logging online to tweet, network, or blog about their
daily activities, likes, dislikes, among other things," said C. Burke King,
president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia . "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 where 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 a 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 life, but even more so with something
as personal as health care," said King. "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 in Virginia
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of
Virginia, Inc. (serving Virginia excluding the city of Fairfax, the town of
Vienna and the area east of State Route 123.). Anthem Blue Cross and Blue
Shield and its affiliated HMOs, HealthKeepers, Inc., Peninsula Health Care,
Inc. and Priority Health Care, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue
Cross and 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 Virginia is
available at www.anthem.com.

Contact: Scott Golden (804) 354-5252
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virgina