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Independence Blue Cross Expands Disease Management Program to Benefit Members With Crohn's Disease

Posted on: Wednesday, 7 February 2007, 12:01 CST

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Independence Blue Cross today announced it has added the gastrointestinal disorder known as Crohn's disease to its suite of disease management programs that serves nearly two million members.

With the expansion of its disease management programs, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) is the first plan in the Delaware Valley region to offer a broad array of specialized, fully accredited disease management programs to members. The company now provides support and educational services to its members and their physicians for 22 chronic conditions.

Crohn's disease is an incurable, chronic disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It most commonly affects the small intestine and colon, although it can involve any area of the GI tract. The cause of the disease is still unknown.

IBC's Connections(SM) disease management program helps members with Crohn's disease in several ways:

- Educates members about early symptom awareness, importance of complying with their therapy, and reducing risk factors. - Reduces Crohn's disease complications such as infections, fluid and electrolyte imbalance. - Prevents certain complications from surgery and recovery period. (About three-fourths of Crohn's disease patients have surgery during the course of the condition and almost half need repeat surgery).

"Living with Crohn's disease can be challenging, but with specialized care and information, our members can lead healthier, more active lives," said Esther Nash, MD, Senior Medical Director, Population Health and Wellness at IBC. "By taking advantage of the Connections program, our members have the tools and support they need to work with their doctors to better understand and successfully manage their illness."

IBC's suite of disease management programs provide support for 22 conditions - five common chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes, offered through an alliance with Health Dialog; end-stage renal disease, in collaboration with RMS Disease Management Services; and 16 complex chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and the recently added Crohn's disease, offered through Accordant Health Services, a Caremark company.

The Connections disease management programs recently received national recognition when the Disease Management Association of America awarded IBC with the "2006 Disease Management Leadership Award for Outstanding Health Plan" for innovative program design, successful plan implementation, and outstanding performance in measuring positive, proven health outcomes.

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For nearly 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered quality health care products and services tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, groups and providers.

Independence Blue Cross recently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO and PPO health care plans. In addition, in 2005, Independence Blue Cross's Personal Choice was rated the No. 1 PPO in the nation and its Keystone HMO was ranked the No. 1 HMO in the region by health care consumers in a leading independent consumer magazine.

For more information on Independence Blue Cross, visit http://www.ibx.com/. About Accordant Health Services

Accordant Health Services, Inc., a Caremark company, provides health plans and employers with single-source health management solutions that lead to optimal health outcomes and greater satisfaction. A recognized leader in delivering disease management services for complex conditions, Accordant has leveraged the strengths of its disease management protocols with those of Caremark, which brings 10 years of common chronic disease management expertise to the marketplace.

Accordant empowers plan participants to make wise healthcare choices and adhere to their treatment regimens through a comprehensive approach, including disease management, HRA, wellness programs and case management. For more information about Accordant, visit http://www.accordant.net/ or call 1-800-948-2497.

About Caremark Rx, Inc.

Caremark Rx, Inc. is a leading pharmaceutical services company, providing through its affiliates comprehensive drug benefit services to health plan sponsors and their plan participants throughout the U.S. The company's clients include corporate health plans, managed care organizations, insurance companies, unions, government agencies and other funded benefit plans. In addition, Caremark is a national provider of drug benefits to eligible beneficiaries under the Medicare Part D program. The company operates a national retail pharmacy network with over 60,000 participating pharmacies, seven mail service pharmacies, the industry's only FDA-regulated repackaging plant and 21 licensed specialty pharmacies for delivery of advanced medications to individuals with chronic or genetic diseases and disorders.

Additional information about Caremark is available at http://www.caremarkrx.com/ or in the company's Forms 10-K, 10-Q and other SEC filings.

Independence Blue Cross

CONTACT: Liz Williams of Independence Blue Cross, +1-215-241-2220

Web site: http://www.ibx.com/http://www.accordant.net/http://www.caremarkrx.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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