Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network Announce Interim Policy...

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network Announce Interim
Policy to Cover H1N1 Vaccine Administration for Fully-Insured Groups During
2009-2010 Flu Season
BCBSM and BCN also will begin reimbursing pharmacies for flu shots beginning
October 1

DETROIT, Sept. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue
Care Network today announced an interim policy to automatically cover the cost
of administration of the H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccine for members in their
fully-insured customer groups and individual coverage during the 2009-2010 flu
season--unless a group chooses to opt out of the coverage.

The Blues also announced that it will enable larger self-funded groups whose
benefit plans are customized to add coverage for the H1N1 administration upon
request. Normal copays and deductibles would apply if the member has them.

The coverage is dependent on FDA approval and when the new vaccine becomes
available to the general public. The federal government has indicated it will
provide the H1N1 vaccine at no cost, which is why Blues coverage focuses on
the administration of the vaccine shots.

In another move to broaden access to flu vaccines, BCBSM and BCN for the first
time will cover flu shots administered by pharmacies--including the H1N1
vaccine, if a member with flu vaccine coverage opts to receive the vaccine
through a pharmacy. This will eliminate the need for patients with flu vaccine
coverage to seek reimbursement from BCBSM for a vaccination from a pharmacy.

"Blue Cross is doing what we can to keep Michigan as healthy as possible ahead
of the pandemic's return this flu season," said Daniel J. Loepp, BCBSM
president and CEO. "It's important that we act now to inoculate people most
at risk and prevent as best we can the impact of H1N1 to our communities and
health system."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that the H1N1
vaccine should not replace the seasonal flu vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine
and the H1N1 vaccine may be administered on the same day, according to the
CDC.

BCBSM and BCN's decision to cover the H1N1 vaccine is based on guidance from
the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). ACIP predicts
widespread H1N1 outbreaks this fall and winter, and recommends prioritizing
the H1N1 vaccine for these five populations: pregnant women; people who live
with or care for children younger than six months of age; health care and
emergency services personnel; children and young adults from 6 months to 24
years old; and people ages 25 - 64 with chronic medical conditions that
increase their risk of complications from influenza infection.

BCBSM or BCN members can check their flu vaccine coverage benefits by
contacting their group benefit administrator.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit organization, provides and
administers health benefits to 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in
addition to members of Michigan-headquartered groups who reside outside the
state. The company offers a broad variety of plans including: Traditional Blue
Cross Blue Shield; Blue Preferred, Community Blue and Healthy Blue Incentives
PPOs; Blue Care Network HMO; BCN Healthy Blue Living; Flexible Blue plans
compatible with health savings accounts; Medicare Advantage; Part D
Prescription Drug plans, and MyBlue products in the under-age-65 individual
market. BCBSM also offers dental, vision and hearing plans. Blue Cross Blue
Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and
independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more
company information, visit bcbsm.com.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Helen Stojic of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, +1-313-549-9884,
newsroom@bcbsm.com