Anthem Blue Cross and National Council on Aging Provide Vital Benefits Information to Economically Challenged Older Adults

Anthem Blue Cross and National Council on Aging Provide Vital Benefits
Information to Economically Challenged Older Adults
Online Resource Helps California Seniors Get Assistance with Food and other
Basic Services in Tough Economic Times

Woodland Hills, CA, November 3, 2009 -- Times are tough for a lot of people
these days, but for many California senior citizens living on fixed incomes,
times are even tougher.

Thanks to an innovative online service sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and
developed by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), helpful information
including access to the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP), formerly the federal food stamp program, is just a few mouse
clicks away.

BenefitsCheckUp® is one of nation's most comprehensive Web-based services that
helps individuals, most with limited income and resources, determine if they
qualify for benefits programs to help them pay for food, health care,
prescription drugs, rent, utilities and many other needs. BenefitsCheckUp®
tracks 2,000 benefits programs throughout all 50 states and the District of
Columbia. Since its launch in 2001, more than 2.3 million seniors have used
BenefitsCheckUp® to determine their eligibility for benefits valued at more
than $7 billion.

"We realize that in these tough economic times an increasing number of our
Medicare members have to make difficult choices," said Krista Bowers,
president of Anthem Blue Cross' Senior business. "Our goal is to help keep our
members healthy by making them aware of the resources available to help them
pay for food, health care, rent, utilities and other basic needs. By
sponsoring NCOA's BenefitsCheckUp® we are not only responding to their health
needs, but acknowledging and providing a solution to their social needs."

"This relationship with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is making a
difference in the lives of older adults in California," said Stuart Spector,
NCOA senior vice president. "We are confident that through this association
many more Medicare eligible beneficiaries will gain access to the benefits
they need."

About Anthem Blue Cross

Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California. Anthem Blue
Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company are independent
licensees of the Blue Cross Association. (® )ANTHEM is a registered trademark
of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross names and symbols are
registered marks of the Blue Cross Association.

About NCOA
The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization
headquartered in Washington, DC. NCOA is a national voice for older
Americans--especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged--and the
community organizations that serve them. It brings together nonprofit
organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that
improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of
organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits,
improve their health, live independently and remain active in their
communities. For more information, visit www.ncoa.org.

Media Contacts:
Peggy Hinz
(805) 557-6791
Peggy. hinz@wellpoint.com

Janice Kyser
(805) 557-6755
Janice.Kyser@WellPoint.com

Connie Hofmann
(610-687-5495)
chofmann@aboutscp.com
NCOA

/PRNewswire -- Nov. 3/

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross