Blue Shield of California Medicare Advantage Drug Plan Receives Four Star Rating from Federal Regulatory Agency

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Shield of California's Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan has received a four-star quality award from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the third year in a row.

CMS uses a five-star system to measure the quality and performance of Medicare health and prescription drug plans that relies on more than 50 metrics, including member health, management of chronic conditions, plan responsiveness, customer service, pricing and safety and pharmaceutical services. The rating system is revised every fall, with the value of stars subject to increasing each year as some plans improve and others exit the market.

Among prescription drug plans sold in Blue Shield's service area, the company is among the few to consistently receive an above-average rating.

"Blue Shield is honored to again receive this designation. It reaffirms our continued commitment to quality health care access for California's seniors," said Cathy Campbell, vice president for senior markets. "We are committed to continuing this high level of service for our current and future customers."

Blue Shield also announced two new television commercials highlighting the company's 2014 Medicare plans. The spots will run throughout the Los Angeles media market and on local cable in the Fresno and Sacramento markets.

More information on Blue Shield's Medicare plans is available at https://www.blueshieldca.com/sites/medicare/home.sp.

Background on Blue Shield of California

Blue Shield of California, an independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health plan with three million members, 5,000 employees and $10.5 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 and headquartered in San Francisco, Blue Shield of California provides health, life, dental, vision, and Medicare insurance and health care service plans in California. Blue Shield of California was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies in 2012 and 2013. Since 2005, the company has contributed more than $200 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation, one of BusinessWeek's most generous corporate foundations. Contact your local agent or broker about Blue Shield of California products and services, or visit www.blueshieldca.com.

CONTACT: Sean Barry, 415-229-5627, [email protected]

SOURCE Blue Shield of California