Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield In Indiana Is State's Leading Commercial Insurer According to National Ranking

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For a second consecutive year, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana has been recognized as the top-ranked insurer in the state by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) in its Private Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2011-12.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana's health maintenance organization (HMO) plan improved its score over last year and moved up 17 places in the private rankings which included 390 commercial HMOs and preferred provider organizations (PPOs) nationwide. This jump is significant, since for the first time in the six-year history of NCQA's Health Insurance Plan Rankings, NCQA ranked PPOs for private and Medicare health plans.  

NCQA annually issues separate national rankings of private, Medicare and Medicaid health plans which submit data to be evaluated in the areas of consumer satisfaction, disease prevention and treatment. Anthem's plan ranked first among 13 private HMO plans in Indiana and scored 85 out of a possible 100 points. Anthem also improved its ratings this year over last in the areas of customer service and treatment.

"The rankings help guide some of our decision making so that we can continuously improve our health plans and the value we provide to our customers," said David Lee, M.D., vice president of provider engagement and contracting for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana. "With the addition of PPOs this year, many more plans were included so we are very pleased that we have greatly improved our ranking and our score this year. It is a testament to our programs, services and interventions that are helping members better manage their health and make more informed decisions about their care."

To be eligible for rankings, health plans must authorize public release of their performance information and submit enough data for statistically valid analysis. NCQA's Private Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2011-12 used NCQA's established rankings methodology, which has been used and widely recognized since 2005. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield ranked 78 nationally in the private insurance plan rankings, up from 95 in 2010-11.

"The rankings serve as a barometer for customers to evaluate various health plans," said Robert Hillman, president, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana.  "At Anthem, we are committed to making health care more efficient and effective for our members and our communities. Every day our 5,000 Indiana associates come to work with this in mind and nothing less – our strong performance demonstrates this and our members' health depends on it."    

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana's private PPO plan ranked second in the state among PPOs in NCQA's Private Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2011-12, the inaugural year that PPOs have been included. Anthem currently holds Excellent Accreditation with NCQA for its HMO point-of-service plan and has earned Quality Plus Distinction in Member Connections and Care Management and Health Improvement.   

About the National Committee for Quality Assurance

NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc., an independent licensee 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 Indiana is available at www.anthem.com.

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana