Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Announces Partnership with Linkwell Health

NEEDHAM, Mass., Dec. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, the largest insurer in the state covering 1.3 million people, has entered into an agreement with Linkwell Health to further its commitment to improve the health and wellness of its members.

Beginning on February, 2011, more than 49,000 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana members will be mailed coupons for healthy foods like brown rice, whole grain pastas, lower calorie desserts and egg whites. In addition, members will have access to shopping tips, healthy recipes and discounts on lifestyle products, such as food scales and home blood pressure monitors.

"We are firmly committed to giving our members the tools they need to make healthy lifestyle choices," said John Maginnis, spokesperson for Blue Cross. "That is why we're proud to offer My Health, My Way, our robust workplace wellness program and the Louisiana 2 Step, which helps people remember to eat right and move more. Our new initiative with Linkwell Health furthers our commitment. The more we can support the selection of healthier foods and nutritious menus, the more likely we are to make a difference in improving the health of our members."

"We are excited about our work with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana," said Benjamin Gardner, Linkwell Health president and CEO. "The Linkwell Health program provides simple, 'can-do' health and wellness solutions aimed at today's time-starved consumers. These programs can really make a difference to those focused on improving the quality of their lives."

Linkwell Health focuses on providing "better-for-you" diet, health and wellness-related alternatives to assist those with chronic conditions in making positive lifestyle changes that can be sustained. Linkwell Health knows that time and money factor into the equation. Providing coupons and fast, easy recipes make taking the first step toward healthier diet and exercise habits both approachable and doable.  

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Founded in New Orleans in 1934, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is the oldest and largest Louisiana-based health insurance company. Blue Cross is a not-for-profit, fully taxed mutual insurer, owned by policyholders and governed by a local Board of Directors. The company strives to be an advocate for its members by working to improve quality of care and reduce costs.

Blue Cross provides group and individual health insurance plans, life and disability insurance, group voluntary products and administrative services to more than 1.3 million members. With headquarters in Baton Rouge and eight district offices, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana employs more than 1,800 Louisianians who are committed to improving the lives of its customers by providing them with health guidance and affordable access to quality care. It is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Learn more on the company's website at www.bcbsla.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bluecrossla. Follow Blue Cross on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BCBSLA and CEO Mike Reitz at www.twitter.com/MikeReitzCEO. 

About Linkwell Health

Linkwell Health is the leading provider of lifestyle-driven wellness programs. Linkwell applies market insights from food purchasing data to design customized food couponing programs for health plans, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and employers. Founded in 2007, Linkwell Health is a privately owned company working with leaders in the health care industry. Linkwell is not a licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.  Linkwell Health offers analytics, branded materials and performance reporting to track the impact of healthy couponing on member populations both short and long term. For more information, please visit www.linkwellhealth.com.

SOURCE Linkwell Health