INScompanies Blog

New York, NY (November 1, 2005) — Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield announced today that it has begun offering Medicare Supplemental Plans C and F to eligible Medicare beneficiaries in its service area. 

Benefits available under both Plan C and Plan F include coverage of the Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B deductibles, $0 coinsurance for days 1-150 of inpatient hospital care, $0 coinsurance for days 1-100 in a skilled nursing facility and $0 coinsurance for a doctor’s office visit. In addition, Plan F covers the difference between a doctor or other healthcare provider’s actual charge (which may be limited) and the Medicare-approved payment amount. 

In addition, all of Empire’s Medicare Supplemental Plans now offer, as an optional rider at no additional cost to Medicare beneficiaries, the Silver Sneakers® Fitness Program. Under the Silver Sneakers® program, Medicare beneficiaries receive a basic fitness membership at one of Silver Sneakers® fitness facilities, as well as the option to participate in specialized classes. 

Medicare beneficiaries interested in more information about these plans, and Empire’s continued offering of Medicare Supplemental Plans A, B and H, should contact Empire by calling 1-800-809-7328. 

Empire is the largest health insurer in New York State, based on PPO and HMO membership. Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc., d/b/a/ Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc., d/b/a Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, are licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, and have the exclusive right to use the Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and marks throughout 10 downstate New York counties and one or both of these names and marks in select upstate counties. For more information visit www.empireblue.com

Employers with workers outside area can benefit from Blue Precision 

OWINGS MILLS, MD (November 13, 2006) – CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), in conjunction with Blues plans across the country, has developed a new health plan that will provide a lower-cost option for national accounts – employers with multiple business locations or employees around the United States.  Blue Precision will give national account members access to custom networks of health care providers assembled by local Blues plans and result in lower costs for employers and reduced out-of-pocket costs for members.

National account members currently have access to care through the national BlueCard network of providers.  Beginning in January 2007, Blue Precision will offer custom local networks in 26 states and the District of Columbia.  Blue Precision members using the local network will have the least out-of pocket costs, with most benefits subject to a copay only.  Members will be responsible for a greater share of costs if they choose to use BlueCard or out-of-network providers.  By making available local networks of high-quality, cost-effective health care providers, employers and members will be better able to control health care costs.

“Blue Precision allows our national account members to take advantage of perhaps the biggest benefit of the Blue Cross Blue Shield family – unmatched local and regional health care networks around the country,” said Gregory A. Devou, CareFirst Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “Employers and the employees and families they cover are looking for ways to control health care costs, and Blue Precision will give national accounts and their members a new and effective way to do just that.”

In the CareFirst service area (Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia), Blue Precision members will have access to the company’s CareFirst BlueChoice health maintenance organization (HMO) network along with the broad networks already available to national accounts through BlueCard.  BlueCard allows Blue Cross Blue Shield members to seek treatment from health care providers in Blues plans’ networks around the country.

Blue Precision has an open access format, so members do not have to obtain referrals to get coverage from specialists. Members do not have to choose a primary care physician, but are encouraged to use providers in the custom network, or first tier, to keep out-of-pocket costs to a minimum.

National accounts with 200 or more enrolled members must have a physical location in at least one other Blues plan’s service area, and at least 20 enrolled employees living in another plan’s service area are eligible to opt for Blue Precision.

In its 71st year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to nearly 3 million individuals and groups in Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia and Maryland. Through its CareFirst Commitment initiative and other public mission activities, CareFirst supports efforts to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas.

Coverage of Generics During “Doughnut Hole” Period Now Offered 

OWINGS MILLS, MD (October 16, 2006) – Medi-CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (Medi-CareFirst), a CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield affiliate, will now offer an option to cover the so-called “doughnut hole” in the Medicare Part D plan for beneficiaries. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved Medi-CareFirst’s contract for 2007, enabling the insurer to offer Medicare Part D prescription drug products to beneficiaries in Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia.

Legislation enacted by Congress establishing a new voluntary Medicare prescription drug benefit provides for coverage up to the first $2,400 in total drug purchases in 2007, after which the beneficiary is totally responsible for any drug purchases up to $3,850 in out-of-pocket spending  — a period known as the “doughnut hole.”  Above that amount, 95 percent of drug expenses are covered for the rest of the year.

Medicare beneficiaries will be able to enroll in a Medi-CareFirst plan between November 15 and December 31 this year. Two products are available this year - Blue Rx Standard and Blue Rx Enhanced.  The first, Blue Rx Standard, is a standard product carrying a $34.20 monthly premium.  The new product offering for 2007, Blue Rx Enhanced, provides seniors and disabled individuals covered by Medicare with doughnut hole coverage for a $42.20 monthly premium that covers all generic drugs throughout the coverage gap.

“We realize how important it is for seniors to feel secure in their health care benefits, and providing them coverage in the doughnut hole is a high priority,” said Gregory A. Devou, CareFirst Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “As always, Medi-CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is available to help seniors navigate what can be a confusing process.”

In another program change, the little-used prescription drug mail order option has been eliminated.  Enrolled seniors will now have the option of getting a three-month supply of their medications at their local pharmacy.  As an added benefit, three-month supplies will be available for the cost of two monthly copays – providing additional savings over the course of the year.

Medi-CareFirst is offering informational seminars at various locations throughout the Maryland, the District of Columbia and Delaware during October, November and December. In addition, outreach and sales staff will be available at numerous state and county-sponsored events throughout the region.

Newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries may still enroll after the December 31 deadline for the Annual Election period.  However, current Medicare beneficiaries who do not enroll by December 31 will have to wait for the next Annual Election enrollment period, November 15 through December 31 of 2007.  Those beneficiaries who wait to enroll past their initial eligibility period will have to pay a 1 percent penalty for life for every month they did not have coverage that was equally as good as Medicare prescription drug coverage. Newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries who first became entitled to Medicare October 1, 2006 and later can still enroll after December 31 without a penalty as long as they enroll within their 7-month initial eligibility window (three months prior to eligibility, the month of eligibility and three months after eligibility).

“We recommend that people enroll online at www.medi-carefirst.com or over the phone at 1-888-784-0790,” said Devou.

Medi-CareFirst is the only Blue Cross Blue Shield-licensed Medicare Part D plan offered in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Delaware. More than 32,000 individuals are enrolled in a Medi-CareFirst plan, and they will automatically be re-enrolled in the Blue Rx Standard plan, with the option of enrolling in the new Blue Rx Enhanced plan.

Medi-CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is the trade name of First Care, Inc., which like its affiliate CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.  CareFirst is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to nearly 3 million individuals and groups in Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia and Maryland. Through its CareFirst Commitment initiative and other public mission activities, CareFirst supports efforts to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas.

High deductible HMO to be paired with funding arrangements 

OWINGS MILLS, MD (October 3, 2006) – Area consumers seeking to combine the traditional benefits of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) with the added control and tax advantages of consumer directed health plans (CDH) will soon have a new option.  Starting October 1, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, along with CareFirst BlueChoice, Inc., is rounding out its CDH portfolio, known as BlueFund Plans, with a high-deductible HMO paired with savings options.  The product will be available in Maryland, District of Columbia and Northern Virginia.

The plans will be CareFirst’s first Health Savings Account compatible HMOs offered in the individual market. CareFirst launched HMO BlueFund plans for groups earlier this year.

The lower-premium, high deductible HMO-based plans, called BlueChoice HSA, encompass tax-friendly medical funding arrangements to be used to help cover health care expenses, along with the interactive tools members need to manage their money and to receive health and wellness education. Out-of-pocket expenses associated with each member’s prescription drug benefits are also applied against the high deductible HMOs.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are funded by the member. Any year-end balances from either of the accounts roll over from year to year, and HSAs are portable. . Contributions to the HSAs can be made with pre-tax dollars, post-tax contributions are tax deductible, and contributed dollars can earn interest tax-free. HSAs are offered through CareFirst’s preferred bank, The Bancorp Bank.

Members can manage and track their HSA online at the www.myhsabankaccount.com  member portal, which also offers interactive tools members can use to educate themselves on various aspects of health and wellness. With these tools, and understanding that they are now accountable for more of their health care expenses, members will have a better grasp of the true cost of health care and therefore greater motivation to ensure that their health care dollars are spent responsibly. Tools include the new internet hospital comparison tool, provided by WebMD Quality Services, which enables CareFirst members to compare treatment outcomes for 165 specific diagnoses and procedures for up to 10 hospitals at a time.

Individuals may choose an HSA with CareFirst’s preferred bank, The Bancorp Bank, or set up an account with their own bank. BlueChoice HSA members who enroll with The Bancorp Bank will also receive a new CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield debit card, enabling them to quickly and easily withdraw money directly from their HSA account. Members can visit www.carefirst.com, which provides interactive online tools to learn about various aspects of health and wellness, and The Bancorp Bank allows members to manage and track their account through www.myhsabankaccount.com. These tools enable individuals to get a better grasp of the elements contributing to health care costs.

“By adding an HMO-based plan, CareFirst has given consumers another affordable option with BlueFund’s one-stop shop appeal,” said Gregory A. Devou, CareFirst Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “We are providing consumers the tools they need to make informed decisions about their health care, and ensuring they get the best care possible.”

Both medical and prescription drug coverage are combined under one deductible for members who have purchased a high deductible HMO with both medical and prescription drug coverage. Most preventive care is 100 percent covered, although a copay may apply in certain instances. Group members may get their care from any doctor in the CareFirst BlueChoice provider network.

Guidelines on what qualifies as acceptable medical spending of the HSA funds are listed in Section 213 of the federal tax code.  More information on HSAs is available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/public-affairs/hsa/. Once established, any money from the HSA that is withdrawn for purposes other than qualified medical expenses is taxed as ordinary income plus a 10 percent penalty.  The additional penalty is not assessed in similar situations for individuals after the age of 65.

In its 71st year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to nearly 3 million individuals and groups in Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia and Maryland. CareFirst BlueChoice is a for-profit affiliate under the control of CareFirst, Inc.  Through its CareFirst Commitment initiative and other public mission activities, CareFirst supports efforts to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas.

First-of-Its-Kind Consumer-Directed Health Plan Empowers Seniors and Provides Increased Flexibility to Manage Health Care Spending

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP), the nation’s largest health benefits company, announced today that it will introduce an innovative new Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA), marking the first time an MSA plan will be available in the Medicare market. Consumers can enroll in this industry-leading plan beginning November 15, 2006 in conjunction with the Medicare open enrollment period. MSA plans will initially be offered in a number of states across the country.

The Medicare MSA plan offering is part of WellPoint’s new enterprise-wide initiative to make consumer-driven health plans available in all states and to all markets, from the largest employer to individual members.

The Medicare MSA plans include two components — a High Deductible Medicare Advantage health plan that covers Medicare benefits and a tax- advantaged Medical Savings Account (MSA). An MSA is an independent bank account, owned by the member, in which deposits will be made for use by the member to pay for health care services. ACS/Mellon Bank will serve as the custodian of the WellPoint Medicare MSA plans.

“Medicare MSAs offer an important choice for Medicare beneficiaries in that they allow members to save for future healthcare needs and exercise direct control over how their health care dollars are spent,” said Susan Rawlings, president, senior services for WellPoint. “WellPoint is committed to offering the diverse and growing senior population access to consumer directed health plans, thereby allowing our members more opportunities to choose the plans that best fit their needs and lifestyles.”

Medicare beneficiaries who would like more information about the Medicare MSA plan may call the company’s new enrollment unit in California at 888-211-9813 or elsewhere in the country at 888-949-5384. (TTY/TDD 800-297-1538). Hours of operations are 8 a.m. through 6 p.m. in all time zones.

About WellPoint, Inc.

WellPoint’s mission is to improve the lives of the people it serves and the health of its communities. WellPoint, Inc. is the largest health benefits company in terms of commercial membership in the United States. Through its nationwide networks, the company delivers a number of leading health benefit solutions through a broad portfolio of integrated health care plans and related services, along with a wide range of specialty products such as life and disability insurance benefits, pharmacy benefit management, dental, vision, behavioral health benefit services, as well as long term care insurance and flexible spending accounts. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, WellPoint is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as Blue Cross Blue Shield in 10 New York City metropolitan and surrounding counties and as Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield in selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), Wisconsin; and through UniCare. Additional information about WellPoint is available at http://www.wellpoint.com .

SOURCE WellPoint, Inc.

CONTACT: Media: Naomi Goldman, +1-310-552-4197, or Investor Relations: Wayne S. DeVeydt, +1-317-488-6390, both of WellPoint, Inc.
 
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding WellPoint, Inc.’s business which are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year, and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for each of the completed quarters in the current fiscal year.

New Roper Survey Reveals Notable Disconnect Between Seniors and Adult Children on Critical Issues; Program to ‘Connect the Generations’ and Encourage Action Now

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP), the nation’s largest health benefits company, today launched Connecting the Generations, a long-term nationwide educational initiative to help older adults and their families discuss and plan for important health and aging issues such as health care, financial security, independent living and end-of-life planning. The new initiative was designed to address the notable disconnect found between older adults and their families on critical aging issues as revealed in a new national survey conducted by Roper Public Affairs and Media Group and commissioned by WellPoint. The program encourages proactive planning on broader life issues in conjunction with the upcoming Medicare open enrollment period, when families are already engaged in assessing their health care needs and options.

The Roper/WellPoint Survey on Life, Health and Aging, which polled more than 1,000 seniors and adult children nationwide, confirmed the following key findings:

Generations Perceive Aging Differently - Adult children believe their senior parents worry more about aging issues than they actually do (53 percent vs. 33 percent).

Generations Aren’t Talking About Important Aging Issues, Especially Health - While 60 percent of adult children say they talk regularly to their parents about health matters, only 32 percent of seniors report discussing health topics regularly with their kids. Equally notable are the health and aging issues neither group talk about regularly - such as nursing homes and long-term care, wills or life insurance, funeral planning or the ability to drive.

Seniors Say They Are Comfortable Talking About Aging Issues, But Seldom Do So - While 76 percent of seniors said they are very comfortable talking about their driving ability and/or wills and life insurance with their kids, only 17 percent and 18 percent respectively report doing so. While many seniors are comfortable receiving help with their health care needs or insurance coverage, only 16 percent have discussed this regularly with their children.

Generations Are Most Disconnected on Medicare - 76 percent of adult children agree that it’s important to understand health insurance coverage and Medicare issues so they can help their parents, but more than half of adult children (52 percent) don’t understand Medicare.

Both Generations Want to Talk About Health, But Are Waiting for the Other to Bring It Up First - While nearly four in ten seniors and their adult children (37 percent) reported that they would like to discuss health issues more often, a roughly equal number (43 percent) say they would talk about if the other brought it up first.

To help older adults and their families facilitate these vital conversations and help them proactively plan for the future, WellPoint has launched Connecting the Generations — a new long-term educational initiative designed to provide valuable education and support to help fill the “gaps” in information between older adults and other generations — to ultimately create a community-at-large that is more informed, engaged and equipped to address important life issues.

“Living a secure and healthy retirement requires more than a good health care plan — it requires a life plan that has been thoughtfully discussed and communicated with family,” said Joan E. Herman, president and chief executive officer of Specialty, Senior and State-Sponsored Business for WellPoint. “Connecting the Generations is an important new component of WellPoint’s commitment to serving the needs of the nation’s growing older adult population and their families. We are excited to launch this program and offer a new level of education and service to help close the communication gaps revealed by the Roper survey.”

“The Roper survey shows that seniors and adult children are comfortable talking about health and aging, but they need to get the conversation started!” said Dr. Edward Schneider, Dean Emeritus of the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California. “Often, families discuss these critical life issues under duress usually after a life-changing event impacts their family or friends. The time to talk and plan is now, when plans can be made proactively. Developing these action plans is imperative, enabling families to have peace of mind and a sense of control over their future.”

The first phase of Connecting the Generations includes easily accessible resources to empower seniors and their families including:

The Connecting the Generations Conversation Guide - a 24-page free booklet with tips and information for initiating conversations on critical health and aging issues, with practical checklists for future planning.

A new Web site, (http://www.ConnectingTheGenerations.org) serves as an online resource for older adults and their families to access information on health and aging. It also includes tips for initiating family conversations, an Ask the Expert column with noted gerontology expert and author Dr. Edward Schneider, information on health plan options, and downloadable checklists for future planning.

The initiative will also reach families through an expanding network of on-the-ground community outreach supported through nonprofit, public agency and retail partnerships in select regions across the country.

Future phases of Connecting the Generations will provide new educational tools, training and programs for caregivers, physicians and other health care providers to help serve the health and lifestyle needs and interests of the diverse senior population. The initiative will grow and evolve to utilize and engage WellPoint’s significant networks of physicians, pharmacists and other health care providers, associates, agents, brokers, corporate and community partners.

The Connecting the Generations Conversation Guide, full results of The Roper/WellPoint Survey on Life, Health and Aging, further information on the initiative are available online at http://www.ConnectingTheGenerations.org or by calling 866-406-0984.

About WellPoint, Inc.

WellPoint’s mission is to improve the lives of the people it serves and the health of its communities. WellPoint, Inc. is the largest health benefits company in terms of commercial membership in the United States. Through its nationwide networks, the company delivers a number of leading health benefit solutions through a broad portfolio of integrated health care plans and related services, along with a wide range of specialty products such as life and disability insurance benefits, pharmacy benefit management, dental, vision, behavioral health benefit services, as well as long term care insurance and flexible spending accounts. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, WellPoint is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as Blue Cross Blue Shield in 10 New York City metropolitan and surrounding counties and as Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield in selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), Wisconsin; and through UniCare. Additional information about WellPoint is available at http://www.wellpoint.com.

SOURCE WellPoint, Inc.

CONTACT: Media: Maggie Bava, +1-310-552-4180, Investor Relations: Wayne S. DeVeydt, +1-317-488-6390, both of WellPoint, Inc. 
 
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding WellPoint, Inc.’s business which are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year, and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for each of the completed quarters in the current fiscal year.

WellPoint Partnership with CVS/pharmacy Designed to Educate Seniors, Provide Medicare Part D Enrollment Guidance in more than 5,800 Stores

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP) announced today that it will partner with CVS/pharmacy as a part of its efforts to help educate seniors about Medicare Part D options during the upcoming Medicare Part D open enrollment period. The partnership, which will encompass more than 5,800 CVS/pharmacy stores nationwide in 43 states, is one of several new WellPoint initiatives designed to enhance customers’ overall enrollment experience. The alliance will provide seniors with readily available resources and a convenient process for reviewing Medicare Part D choices and selecting a product that best meets their needs.

Through this partnership, WellPoint and CVS/pharmacy will collaborate to educate seniors eligible to participate in Medicare Part D. WellPoint will provide in-store distribution of Making Sense of Medicare Part D, an easy-to- use educational booklet. The company will also provide personal interaction and support through on-site agents at a number of CVS/pharmacy stores during the open enrollment period.

To strengthen its portfolio of competitively priced, value added products, WellPoint has expanded the number of drugs offered in its plans while also reducing the premium costs of its products offered through a number of its affiliates.

“Through this partnership, WellPoint will make it easier, more personal and very convenient for seniors looking for support to find the best plan, price and drug benefit for them,” said Joan E. Herman, president and chief executive officer of Specialty, Senior and State-Sponsored Business for WellPoint. “It is a key priority for our company to help educate seniors about Medicare options so they are confident in the choices they are making. Community-based outreach through CVS/pharmacy’s local stores is an important element of our focused plan to accomplish that goal.”

About WellPoint, Inc.

WellPoint’s mission is to improve the lives of the people it serves and the health of its communities. WellPoint, Inc. is the largest health benefits company in terms of commercial membership in the United States. Through its nationwide networks, the company delivers a number of leading health benefit solutions through a broad portfolio of integrated health care plans and related services, along with a wide range of specialty products such as life and disability insurance benefits, pharmacy benefit management, dental, vision, behavioral health benefit services, as well as long term care insurance and flexible spending accounts. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, WellPoint is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as Blue Cross Blue Shield in 10 New York City metropolitan and surrounding counties and as Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield in selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), Wisconsin; and through UniCare. Additional information about WellPoint is available at http://www.wellpoint.com.

About CVS/pharmacy

CVS/pharmacy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CVS Corporation, is America’s largest retail pharmacy. CVS is committed to serving the healthcare needs of all customers by being the easiest pharmacy for customers to use, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS is available at http://www.cvs.com/pressroom, as well as http://investor.cvs.com.

SOURCE WellPoint, Inc.

CONTACT: Media, James P. Kappel, +1-317-488-6400; or Investor Relations, Wayne S. DeVeydt, +1-317-488-6390, both of WellPoint, Inc.
 
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding WellPoint, Inc.’s business which are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year, and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for each of the completed quarters in the current fiscal year.

HOLLYWOOD, FL - February 3, 2005 - VISTA announced today that it has expanded its portfolio of health benefit products with the launch of its Focused Deductible HMO plan, available to individuals in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties.

The Focused Deductible HMO, effective February 1, 2005, gives consumers more choice and flexibility over their health care decision making and allows VISTA to pass on considerable premium savings of 20 to 24 percent compared to its core HMO products. “We’re addressing the needs of the working uninsured. Typically these are people who are self employed or work for a small company,” said Mary Saiz, director of individual sales.

With most deductible-based health plans, the deductible is applied across the spectrum of health care services. However, VISTA’s plan focuses the deductible in two primary areas that are driving up health care costs - hospital services and prescription drugs. The plan’s $1,000 hospital deductible applies to inpatient and outpatient hospital services. A $250 deductible for prescription drugs applies to all tiers and members enjoy the savings passed on to them through VISTA’s discounted contract rates. Expenses incurred through the deductibles are offset by the significant savings consumers can achieve on their premium. For example, a male aged 24 years old in good health could have a monthly premium of $97.83*.

Similar to VISTA’s other HMO plans, members on the Focused Deductible plan are covered for services received through VISTA’s extensive network of participating providers. The plan emphasizes preventive care and early interaction with a primary care physician (PCP) by providing low copays instead of deductibles for PCP and specialist services - $10 for a PCP visit and $20 for specialists.

Furthermore, the hospital and prescription drug deductibles are accumulated on a calendar year and once each is satisfied, a copayment for these services applies. “We’ve come up with a plan that has the right combination of affordability, preventive care services and cost sharing. Individuals struggling to find a solution to rising health care costs will be very pleased with what we’re offering,” added Saiz.

VISTA’s Focused Deductible HMO, is part of the company’s rapid expansion of its portfolio of products and aggressive plans for membership growth in 2005. The company will launch a new small employer group product that will be offered exclusively through South Florida chambers of commerce and recently expanded its Medicare Advantage plan, VISTA Medicare Platinum, into Martin and St. Lucie counties.

*VISTA’s Focused Deductible HMO plan is medically underwritten. Premium prices vary for each individual and are based on the individual’s medical history.

About VISTA
VISTA, through its affiliated companies, Vista Healthplan, Inc., Vista Healthplan of South Florida, Inc. and Vista Insurance Plan, Inc., offers a choice of health benefit plans including health maintenance organization (HMO), preferred provider organization (PPO) and point-of-service (POS). Headquartered in Hollywood, Florida, the VISTA companies provide health benefits coverage to more than 300,000 members and 10,000 employers in Florida through employer group and individual plans, Medicare, Medicaid and Florida’s Healthy Kids program. More than 5,000 independent physicians and the area’s leading hospitals participate in VISTA’s provider network. VISTA’s health plans were awarded a three-year accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) - the highest level of accreditation a health plan can achieve. More information about VISTA is available at www.vistahealthplan.com

Pam Gadinsky
Vice President of Corporate Communications
300 S. Park Road
Hollywood, Florida 33021
Email: pam.gadinsky@vistahealthplan.com
(954) 965-3310

HOLLYWOOD - September 3, 2003 - Vista Healthplan of South Florida, Inc. (VISTA), a health benefits company, announced today that it has achieved a three-year accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). The accreditation includes the plan’s commercial, Medicare and Medicaid HMOs.

Status as an accredited health plan means VISTA has passed a series of rigorous and nationally recognized standards for quality and access to care, set by the AAAHC. The recognition further illustrates to consumers that access to quality health care can complement efforts to help contain skyrocketing health care costs.

“Accreditation underscores our commitment to provide access to affordable quality health care to VISTA members and employers in South Florida,” said Joe Berding, VISTA’s chief executive officer. “We are pleased and proud to have our efforts recognized with this accreditation.”

Organizations seeking AAAHC accreditation undergo a rigorous and extensive on-site survey of system wide mechanisms for evaluating providers of care functioning within managed care systems, and for assuring standards of compliance. The standards address such critical issues as the organization’s communication mechanisms to patient members; grievance resolution systems; consumer information; appeals procedures; and utilization management.

HOLLYWOOD, FL - May 24, 2005 - VISTA announced today it will award grants totaling up to $50,000 this year to nonprofit organizations in the communities where its employees live and work. The VISTA Community Grants Program will begin accepting applications immediately from 501(c)(3) organizations that meet specific criteria, eligibility requirements and guidelines.

The VISTA Community Grants Program supports charitable organizations whose work, through measurable outcomes, contributes to improving the health of the community in one or more of the following areas: preventive health, health education, disease management, community health initiatives/outreach, improving health care services, controlling health care costs or reducing the number of persons who do not have health insurance. Nonprofit organizations whose service area includes one of more of the following counties are invited to apply: Alachua, Broward, Escambia, Leon, Martin, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach or St. Lucie.

“Sharing our success by giving back to the neighborhoods in which we live and serve is a priority,” said Ronald J. Berding, VISTA’s chief executive officer. “We invite the nonprofit community to apply for a grant and help us continue to invest in the future of our communities to achieve the mutual goal of helping people lead healthier lives.”

VISTA community grants will be awarded quarterly. Applications will be accepted until July 15, 2005 for the third quarter and September 30, 2005 for the fourth quarter. The application package is available by calling 1-800-447-5116 ext. 3360.

The grant program is one initiative in a multi-component community relations program that VISTA will roll out this year. Additional initiatives include a volunteer program for senior executives; an employee sponsored community activities committee; the ViSTARS employee volunteer program and the VISTA Volunteer Fair, an onsite event to inspire employee volunteerism by providing nonprofit organizations the opportunity to recruit volunteers from VISTA’s workforce of 1,000 employees.  Together these programs provide outreach and assistance to the community.

About VISTA
VISTA, through its affiliated companies, Vista Healthplan, Inc., Vista Healthplan of South Florida, Inc. and Vista Insurance Plan, Inc., offers a choice of health benefit plans including health maintenance organization (HMO), preferred provider organization (PPO) and point-of-service (POS). Headquartered in Hollywood, Florida, the VISTA companies provide health benefits coverage to more than 300,000 members and 10,000 employers in Florida through employer group and individual plans, Medicare, Medicaid and Florida’s Healthy Kids program. More than 5,000 independent physicians and the area’s leading hospitals participate in VISTA’s provider network. VISTA’s health plans were awarded a three-year accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) - the highest level of accreditation a health plan can achieve. More information about VISTA is available at www.vistahealthplan.com
 
Pam Gadinsky
Vice President of Corporate Communications
300 S. Park Road
Hollywood, Florida 33021
Email: pam.gadinsky@vistahealthplan.com
(954) 965-3310

Stevens Point, WI, November 1, 2005 - Sentry Insurance a Mutual Company announced today that regulatory approvals have been received for the purchase of Viking Insurance from Royal & SunAlliance. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“This is an outstanding addition to the Sentry family. Viking and its agents have an excellent reputation for providing specialized products and services to the specialty/nonstandard auto insurance market,” said Sentry Insurance Chairman Dale R. Schuh.

Sentry’s acquisition of Viking makes Sentry one of the country’s largest providers of auto insurance for drivers who find auto insurance difficult to afford or maintain.

The acquisition brings the following to the Sentry Insurance Group:

- 650 employees
- Offices in Madison, WI, Freeport, IL, Englewood, CO, Salem, OR, Irvine, CA and Goldsboro, NC
- More than 7,900 professional independent agencies
- More than $425 million in premium
- Two new states - California and North Carolina — for Sentry’s Consumer Products insurance division

Viking was founded in 1971 in Madison, WI and sells policies in 27 states.

“We intend to build upon the geographic diversification and strong service and systems capabilities that Viking provides its agents and customers,” said Mr. Schuh.

Sentry is a major domestic mutual insurance group, with assets of more than $8.5 billion and policyholders’ surplus of $2.4 billion. Sentry and its subsidiaries offer a full line of property and casualty insurance, life insurance, retirement programs, employee benefits and related services to businesses and consumers throughout the U.S.

Legal entities included in the purchase are Viking Insurance Company of Wisconsin, Viking County Mutual Insurance Company, and Peak Property and Casualty Insurance Corporation. Sentry’s other specialty/nonstandard auto insurance subsidiaries are Dairyland Insurance, Dairyland County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas and Patriot General Insurance Company.
 
Products are underwritten by a member of the Sentry Insurance Group, Stevens Point, WI. Policies, coverages, benefits and discounts are not available in all states.