Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Committed More than $1 Million to Improving Health and Strengthening Missouri Communities in 2011

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As a part of its mission to improve the lives of the people it serves and the health of Missouri communities, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri today announced that the health plan, its corporate foundation and associates contributed more than $1 million and more than 1,000 hours to health-related causes and community events in 2011.

"Our associates work hard every day to provide health care benefits to more than 1.2 million people throughout the state," said Steve Martenet, president, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri. "These same associates are also very committed to the communities where they live and work, particularly during these challenging economic times. I couldn't be more proud of their efforts to help make a difference for people in need."

Through its State Health Index – a compilation of public health measures – and Healthy Generations program, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its foundation work to identify the health issues most in need of attention and then direct charitable support and volunteer efforts toward improving those areas.  Major areas of focus for the company in 2011 were promoting youth health and preventing unnecessary preterm births.

Projects and organizations receiving support from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation this year included:

• American Diabetes Association -- $35,714 supporting Alert A Nation activities in the fight against diabetes.
• OASIS Institute CATCH Healthy Habits -- $220,294 to bring a unique intergenerational wellness program to St. Louis that teaches kids about the importance of healthy eating, active lifestyles and making good decisions.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Triple Play program -- $119,402 to support and expand the wellness program in Missouri.

The company also helped to get families and businesses back on their feet this spring by contributing to tornado relief efforts in Joplin ($50,000) and St. Louis ($20,000) through the American Red Cross.

In addition to grants, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri contributed more than $141,750 to local events, community organizations and nonprofits to enrich the quality of life throughout the state, including:

• American Heart Association - $20,000 to chapter in Springfield, MO.
• Komen Race for the Cure - $10,000 sponsorship toward fight against breast cancer.
• Ronald McDonald House -- $10,000.
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation -- $10,000.
• Muscular Dystrophy Association -- $2,500.

These sponsorships were supplemented by informal charitable activities and donation drives organized by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri's offices and business units over the course of the year.  Beneficiaries of these efforts include St. Louis Area Foodbank volunteer days, KidSmart school supply drive, American Red Cross blood drives, American Heart Association "Wear Red Day" and Gateway Homeless Shelter holiday party.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri associates also contributed personally and financially to improving their communities in 2011.  Backed by a 50 percent match from its corporate foundation, the men and women of the company pledged more than $289,000 to the campaign's six public health charity beneficiaries:  American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Community Health Charities, Feeding America, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and United Way.

Company associates and their families also volunteered at community organizations throughout Missouri during the company's Community Service Day on April 30, 2011.  Taking place at more than eight sites throughout the state, the annual effort benefitted nonprofits dedicated to improving the quality of life in local communities including St. Louis, Springfield and Cape Girardeau.

"There is nothing more rewarding than devoting your time, energy and compassion to helping your neighbors and giving back to your community," Martenet said. "That's what our Community Service Day is about – helping people in the communities where we live and work."

About the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation

Through charitable grant making, the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation LLC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, promotes Anthem's inherent commitment to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield serves. The Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions. These include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company's annual associate giving campaign and its parent foundation provides a 50 percent match of associates' campaign pledges. ®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.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri

In Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area) Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name for RightCHOICE® Managed Care, Inc. (RIT), Healthy Alliance® Life Insurance Company (HALIC), and HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates administer non-HMO benefits underwritten by HALIC and HMO benefits underwritten by HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates only provide administrative services for self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ®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 Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at  www.twitter.com/healthjoinin, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthJoinIn, or visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/healthjoinin.

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri