Finding the right provider for specific health needs is even easier now for Capital BlueCross customers

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Looking for a doctor or hospital with specific qualifications is easier now for Capital BlueCross customers thanks to recent upgrades to the company's popular Find a Provider tool. The Find a Provider tool is part of Capital BlueCross' focus on meeting the health and financial needs of its customers through products, services and on-line tools that can be tailored to each individual.

The most noticeable change to Find a Provider is that it allows customers to search for any provider directly from the Capital BlueCross website, regardless of whether they are local or national. Previously, customers would need to link to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association website for information on providers outside of the Capital BlueCross 21-county region of central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley.

Other improved features of this tool include the ability to search by provider name or provider specialty/type; an integrated capability to rate your doctor and read reviews by others; and a way to look up treatment costs for hundreds of common elective procedures.  In addition to the provider search capabilities, Capital BlueCross has also enhanced the provider profiles allowing customers to check bios, patient reviews, quality ratings, hospital affiliations, office details and specialties/certifications. The tool can be viewed and used through an array of smart phones, tablets, laptops and desktops.

"We understand that it can be stressful for people to find a doctor or hospital they are comfortable with, especially in situations when they are unfamiliar with the area or are seeking care for a new diagnosis.  Consumers are looking at health care and their choices with new eyes, so we need to keep up with that demand for information," said Brooke Nordai, director, Product Development. "That is why we are continually evolving tools like Find a Provider that make it easy and convenient for our customers to access, use and benefit from the information we provide, regardless of whether they are using a PC or a Smartphone."

The Find a Provider tool assists customers searching for medical, dental, vision or pharmacy providers, all from the same location at www.capbluecross.com (located under "Find" on the landing page). Non-customers can use the tool to search for a physician, but the advanced features, such as rating a provider, are accessible by Capital BlueCross customers only.

Capital BlueCross has a long history of bringing innovative resources, like Find a Provider, to its members to help reduce cost, increase quality and improve satisfaction. The Find a Provider enhancements are part of on-going member-focused, transparency initiatives by the company.

About Capital BlueCross

In 2013, Capital BlueCross is celebrating 75 years of serving central Pennsylvania and Lehigh Valley residents and businesses as the region's leading health insurer. Through community partnerships and by collaborating with area health care providers, Capital BlueCross brings innovative services and clinical solutions to the marketplace, while expanding and diversifying its comprehensive product portfolio. Committed to delivering medical value to its communities, Capital BlueCross focuses on improving patient satisfaction, enhancing quality of care and reducing costs. The company continues to lead the change in the industry by meeting the evolving health needs of its customers, most recently by entering the retail market and building a first-of-its-kind health and wellness store in the Lehigh Valley called Capital Blue. Headquartered in Harrisburg, Pa., Capital BlueCross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, employing more than 1,800 people. More information about Capital BlueCross, its family of businesses, and its offerings for individuals and employers, can be found at capbluecross.com.

SOURCE Capital BlueCross