US News ranks Blue Cross tops in Vermont

NATIONAL NEWS MAGAZINE RANKS BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF VERMONT AS VERMONT'S TOP HEALTH PLAN
Berlin, Vt. - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont has been ranked as the top health plan in Vermont - as well as one of the best in the country -- by a respected national news magazine. The rankings, released in the November 17-24 issue of US News and World Report, is based on quality review information from the National Committee Quality Assurance (NCQA).
"This objective recognition confirms Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont's long tradition of providing high quality care to its members," noted Don George, Interim President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont. "The rankings are based on the quality of the care our members received and how well we managed to continuously improve health care for those members."
This is the fourth year that the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and US News and World Report have joined to rank the nation's health plans based on clinical quality, member satisfaction, and NCQA Accreditation scores.
The 2008-09 America's Best Health Plan rankings provides comprehensive rankings and important consumer information for nearly 700 commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid health plans. The America's Best Health Plan rankings are based on more than 100 aspects of prevention, treatment, and consumer experience, such as how quickly members receive needed care or how well a plan controls blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes.
"America's Best Health Plans is a practical tool that helps consumers make informed decisions when choosing a health plan," said NCQA President Margaret E. O'Kane. "It lets consumers know which plans have demonstrated they can deliver the highest levels of care and service."
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont and its HMO affiliate, The Vermont Health Plan (TVHP), both achieved top 50 rankings again this year for their managed benefit plans.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is the state's oldest and largest health insurer, providing coverage for about 180,000 Vermonters. It employs over 350 Vermonters at its headquarters in Berlin and branch office in Williston, and offers group and individual health plans. More information about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is available on the Internet at www.bcbsvt.com. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is an independent corporation operating under a license with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.
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