Anthem Blue Cross Gives the Gift of Health to California

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ — This December, Anthem Blue
Cross is giving the gift of health to California as the Anthem Blue Cross
HealthFair Bus travels the state offering free health evaluations. Launching
on Monday, December 1 from the Anthem offices in Woodland Hills, California,
the bus will depart on a multi-city tour to include Los Angeles, Ventura,
Oxnard, Ojai, Fresno, Sacramento and San Francisco (see detailed schedule
below).

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081201/NYM010 )

“Onboard the Anthem Blue Cross HealthFair Bus visitors will receive,
free-of-charge, a health evaluation consisting of a full lipid panel; weight,
height and waist measurements; blood pressure test; and Body Mass Index
analysis. Together, these tests provide a snapshot of one’s personal health,”
explained Leslie A. Margolin, president of Anthem Blue Cross. “Anthem is
committed to the community, offering this service regardless of employment,
immigration or insurance status. By proactively empowering individuals with
vital, personal, medical information, we are taking an important step toward
keeping Californians healthy.”

“We’re particularly enthusiastic about this tour because we’ll be reaching
several populations that might not necessarily have access to basic primary
healthcare,” noted Margolin. “For example, in the greater Los Angeles area we
are partnering with strong community organizations such as the Urban League,
P.A.T.H. (People Assisting The Homeless) and the Kedren Community Mental
Health Center — offering the free health screenings to their constituents.
Anthem is committed to improving the lives of the people we serve and the
health of our communities.”

Also provided on board is The Health Care Options Matrix, developed by the
Foundation for Health Coverage Education (http://www.coverageforall.org). It
is the only hand-held guide available in English and Spanish, outlining all of
the state’s public and private health care options for individuals and groups
in almost every demographic profile.

Since first hitting the road earlier this year, the Anthem HealthFair Bus
has provided screenings to more than 2,700 people. “We’re very proud to offer
these screenings,” Margolin added. “It’s our gift of health to California.”

    Bus tour events open to the general public:

    December 2:         Los Angeles. AIDS Project LA
    December 4/5:       Los Angeles, PATH (People Assisting The Homeless)
    December 6:         Oxnard, Oxnard Parade and Tamale Festival
    December 7:         Ventura, Ventura Holiday Street Fair
    December 8:         Los Angeles, AIDS Project LA
    December 9:         Ojai, Help of Ojai
    December 10:        Ojai, Help of Ojai
    December 11/12:     Los Angeles, Kedren Community Mental Health Center.
    December 13/14/15:  Los Angeles, Urban League (different address each day)
    December 16:        Fresno, United Way
    December 18/19:     Sacramento, State Capital
    December 20:        San Francisco, LGBT/AIDS Project LA

Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California. Anthem
Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company are
independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. (R) ANTHEM is a
registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross names
and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Association.

    Media Contact:  Peggy Hinz                     Jessica Rosen
                    (805) 557-6791                 (212) 994-7522
                    peggy.hinz@wellpoint.com       jessica.rosen@rfbinder.com

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross