Taylor Promoted to Independence Blue Cross Chief Marketing Executive

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Independence Blue Cross today announced that Linda M. Taylor has been promoted to chief marketing executive. Taylor will report to Daniel J. Hilferty, president of Health Markets for Independence Blue Cross.

As chief marketing executive, Taylor will oversee commercial sales and marketing activities for Independence Blue Cross (IBC) and two of the company's third-party administrators:  Independence Administrators, and AmeriHealth Administrators. Her role includes new business sales, account management, marketing administration, and product development, as well as broker relations. Taylor will also work closely with IBC's subsidiary, AmeriHealth New Jersey.

A veteran of more than 20 years in the health benefits field, Taylor began her career at IBC in 1995, and has held roles of increasing responsibility, including several leadership and executive positions at the company and its subsidiaries. Most recently, she was senior vice president of sales and marketing at AmeriHealth Administrators, a position she held since 2002. She was also vice president of marketing at AmeriHealth New Jersey and has held several marketing positions in national accounts at IBC.

"I'm pleased to have a health benefits and marketing professional of Linda's caliber take on an increasingly important role as a member of our executive team," said Joseph A. Frick, president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross. "Our focus on our strategic vision has never been more important than in these challenging times. I am confident that Linda's knowledge, company-wide experience, relationships, and strong skills in sales and marketing will be a great asset in helping us sustain our success in the marketplace."

Added Hilferty: "Linda brings extensive experience and depth of knowledge of our market. Through her leadership of the sales and marketing area, we will continue to best position IBC to retain current customers, attract new employers and individuals, and ensure fiscal stability."

Taylor is a member of the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association and the Society of Professional benefit Administrators. She serves on the board of directors of the Main Line YMCA and is the chair of the membership and human resources committees.

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.3 million people. For more than 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross's HMO and PPO health care plans have consistently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Independence Blue Cross supports comprehensive health care reform that would extend coverage to all Americans, reduce costs, and improve quality. We also advocate reform that builds on the current employer-based system that currently serves 170 million Americans. Learn more about our views on health care legislation now working its way through Congress by visiting our website at www.ibx.com/about_ibc/health_care_reform.

Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. More information about Independence Blue Cross is available at www.ibx.com.

SOURCE Independence Blue Cross