Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Invests $537 million in the state

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DETROIT, Nov. 5, 2010 – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s newly released 2009 social mission report outlines how the company fulfills its unique role as the state’s safety net and fulfills its promises to the people of Michigan.

“We are unique in our mission and how we are positioned to deliver on promises that lead to a healthier future for all of Michigan – not just Blues members,” said BCBSM President and CEO Daniel J Loepp. “In 2009, we continued to build on a long-standing commitment to our nonprofit mission while working to broaden access to quality health care. Through our social mission initiatives and tremendous partnerships with all our stakeholders, the Blues not only broadened access – we helped the Michigan health care delivery system save lives, deliver evidence-based best practices and improve quality of care.”

The Blues’ financial investment in 2009 social mission activities totaled $537 million – delivering six times the estimated value of our tax exemption of $82 million back to the state of Michigan.

As part of its promise to Michigan residents, the Blues are committed to ensuring everyone has access to quality health care services by subsidizing health coverage to keep it affordable for seniors and people transitioning from employer-sponsored coverage. The Blues also give direct financial support to hospitals to ease the cost burden of uncompensated care. This allows hospitals to continue delivering needed medical care services to those who do not have insurance coverage.

In addition, the Blues are:

  • Fulfilling the promise to youth: Covering children who don’t have health insurance, sponsoring programs that help prevent childhood obesity and partnering to find creative ways to help the state’s youngest residents.
  • Keeping healthy promises at any age: Working to reduce health care disparities in underserved communities by partnering at the grassroots level on programs that inform, engage and challenge people to adopt healthier lifestyle habits.
  • Leveraging the promise of community generosity: Funding free clinics across the state and supporting community-based initiatives that positively impact the well-being of Michigan’s residents, while providing uninsured residents with access to quality health care services.
  • Promising a future of health care quality and value: Sustaining and enhancing programs such as Value Partnerships that are transforming health care delivery and improving the quality of care while lowering health care costs.

In addition to financial investments in Michigan communities, Blue Cross returns nearly 92 cents of every premium dollar back to the health care delivery system in the form of claims payments to Michigan hospitals, physicians and other providers.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s Promise: 2009 Social Mission Annual Report complements BCBSM’s 2009 Annual Report and other information available on the company’s Web site at bcbsm.com.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit organization, provides and administers health benefits to nearly 4.5 million members residing in Michigan in addition to members of Michigan-headquartered groups who reside outside the state. BCBSM also offers dental, vision and hearing plans. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more company information, visit bcbsm.com.