Independence celebrates the Be Well Health Hero Challenge finalists and winners

Marian Uhlman, Alanna Gardner, Wendell Holland, Tracy Davidson, Todd Irwin, and Christian Crosby atBe Well Philly Health Hero Challenge reception on November 27.
L to R: Marian Uhlman, Alanna Gardner, Wendell Holland, Tracy Davidson, Todd Irwin, and Christian Crosby at the Health Hero Challenge reception on November 27. Photo credit Theresa Regan. On November 27, Independence Blue Cross VP Marketing Koleen Cavanaugh joined Philadelphia magazine and Be Well Philly to celebrate the finalists and winners of the 2018 Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge....
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Daniel J. Hilferty inducted as Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia

New group of fellows of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Group photo of the recently inducted Fellows of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, including Independence President and CEO Dan Hilferty, courtesy of Pictures by Todd. Daniel J. Hilferty, Independence Blue Cross (Independence) president and CEO, was recently inducted into the College of Physicians of Philadelphia (the College). The nation’s oldest medical society,...
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Deck the Hall Lights up City Hall

The 2018 Deck the Hall Light Show premiered at City Hall with help from two life-sized holiday ornaments and (L to R)  Bernie Prazenica, president and general manager of 6ABC; Paul Tufano, Independence executive vice president; Mayor Jim Kenney; and Paul Levy, president and CEO of Center City District.
The 2018 Deck the Hall Light Show premiered at City Hall with help from two life-sized holiday ornaments and (L to R)  Bernie Prazenica, president and general manager of 6ABC; Paul Tufano, Independence executive vice president; Mayor Jim Kenney; and Paul Levy, president and CEO of Center City District. On November 19, Paul Tufano, Independence Blue Cross executive vice president,...
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Daniel J. Hilferty Speaks at Inaugural Bill Rouse Symposium: Shaping the City, Then and Now

Daniel J. Hilferty, president and CEO of Independence, poses with fellow panelists at the inaugural Bill Rouse Symposium at the Kimmel Center. Photo courtesy of the Kimmel Center. “Philadelphia is in a position to become the center of health care innovation,” said Daniel J. Hilferty, Independence Blue Cross (Independence) president and CEO, at the inaugural Bill Rouse Symposium hosted by the Kimmel Center....
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Independence celebrates 25 years of family fun with the Blue Cross RiverRink

Blue Cross River Rink 25th Anniversary
Photo credit Kate Kelly

Kickoff event highlights Independence gift of free skating

Philadelphia, PA — For a quarter century, the Blue Cross RiverRink season has started on Black Friday to help ring in the holidays. This year, it’s opening up with a very special treat for Philadelphia. Thanks to a generous gift from Independence Blue Cross (Independence),...
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Independence Blue Cross sponsors Latina Summit to discuss the importance of having health insurance

Independence Blue Cross Director of Member Marketing Erin Thurston and Hispanic Media President and CEO Ricardo Hurtado at the 2018 Latina Summit in Philadelphia Independence Blue Cross sponsored the Hispanic Media Latina Summit last week at Esperanza College in Philadelphia. The event, which was attended by more than 150 women, focused on health and well-being in the Hispanic community....
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Preventable Hospital Readmissions Cut by More Than 25 Percent Under Innovative Contract Between University of Pennsylvania Health System and Independence Blue Cross

A year into new collaboration, Penn Medicine and Independence announce unprecedented results

PHILADELPHIA, PA — After the first year of an innovative, five-year contract between the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) and Independence Blue Cross (Independence), the health system is reporting a more than 25 percent cut in hospital readmissions – the largest readmission reduction in both organizations’ history....
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Independence Blue Cross takes steps to help members affected by the wildfires in California

California Fire Trucks
Philadelphia, PA — Independence Blue Cross (Independence) is taking extra measures to help its members who might be affected by the wildfires in various parts of Northern and Southern California. For members impacted by the wildfires, Independence will alter some of its policies now through December 14, 2018. Specific steps include: Waiving precertification, referral, and hospital admission requirements for medically necessary care for members....
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Independence Blue Cross rolls out PreCheck MyScript tool to simplify prescription experience for patients and providers and lower out-of-pocket drug costs

Philadelphia — Independence Blue Cross (Independence) recently launched a new digital tool called PreCheck MyScript that allows providers in its network to easily determine the most affordable medication options for patients. The new tool — powered by FutureScripts, an OptumRx company — delivers greater transparency and healthcare connectivity by giving care providers real-time visibility into patients’ pharmacy benefits while helping to lower prescription drug costs....
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Independence Blue Cross reports more members using generics compared with the national average for Blue Cross Blue Shield membership

Spending increases for brand drugs at Independence are lower than national average

At more than $100 billion, prescription drugs represent more than 20 percent of overall health care spending for Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) commercially insured members. Prescription drug spending among branded specialty and patent-protected drugs continues to outpace generic drugs by $79.5 billion,...
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