Independence Blue Cross announces three executive promotions

Independence Blue Cross (Independence) announced three promotions within the company’s executive Sales team. Susan Larkin, Senior Vice President, Health Markets Susan Larkin has been promoted to senior vice president of Health Markets. In her new role, Larkin is responsible for optimizing the business performance for Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates. She will leverage her deep industry experience in harnessing the power of the organization to collectively drive profit and loss (P&L) operating results across all segments by enhancing revenue opportunities and driving administrative and medical cost efficiencies....
Read More

Independence supports efforts to increase colorectal cancer screening rates in Philadelphia, which are among the nation’s lowest

Medium shot of Dan Hilferty speaking at the podium at March Forth Colorectal Cancer Alliance Event
Independence Blue Cross (Independence) hosted Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance (CCA), and area business leaders for a breakfast discussion about the importance of preventive screening and early detection of colorectal cancer. At the meeting, Independence CEO Daniel J. Hilferty announced that Independence will support the March Forth Philadelphia Prevention Project, which seeks to save lives by promoting increased colorectal cancer screening in the Philadelphia region....
Read More

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Health of America Report shows a 33 percent increase in ADHD diagnoses among children in the Philadelphia region

Health of America Graphic featuring students boarding a yellow school bus in the background and text reading: ADHD Diagnoses are most prevalent among middle school children
The number of commercially insured children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increased 33 percent from 2010 to 2017 in the Philadelphia region, according to a new study of medical claims by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA). Nationally, almost 2.4 million commercially insured children were diagnosed with ADHD, climbing 31 percent. Part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield,...
Read More

Independence Blue Cross announces expanded role for Ginny Calega, M.D.

Ginny Calega headshot
Independence Blue Cross (Independence) recently announced that Ginny Calega, M.D., a physician and experienced health care leader who has served as the vice president of Medical Management and Policy at Independence since 2017, will have an expanded role of vice president of Medical Affairs. In her new role, Dr. Calega will oversee an updated clinical structure within Independence that will leverage the complementary nature of case and condition management and utilization management to improve the access,...
Read More

Victor Caraballo, M.D., promoted to vice president of Quality Management at Independence Blue Cross

Dr. Victor Caraballo
Independence Blue Cross (Independence) has promoted Victor Caraballo, M.D., a nationally recognized expert in quality management who has served as a medical director at the organization since 2002, to vice president of Quality Management. In his new role, Dr. Caraballo is responsible for ensuring the clinical quality of services delivered in Independence’s provider network as well as compliance with accreditation,...
Read More

New race logo and website highlights the 40th anniversary of the Philadelphia Department of Parks & Recreation Blue Cross Broad Street Run

Lottery for the race opens on February 1

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation’s annual Blue Cross® Broad Street Run, the city and title sponsor Independence Blue Cross (Independence) today unveiled a new race logo and enhanced website. The improvements simplify and streamline race information and make the site mobile-friendly and easier to navigate....
Read More

Independence CEO gives key advice to youth non-profits

Independence Blue Cross CEO Dan Hilferty addressing Youth Non-Profit Symposium
Dan Hilferty, Independence Blue Cross CEO, speaks to a room filled with youth-serving non-profit leaders at Pierce College about building relationships with organizations that can help support their missions. City Councilman David Oh recently invited Dan Hilferty, Independence Blue Cross CEO, to speak to nearly 200 people at the 7th Annual Youth Non-Profit Symposium at Pierce College....
Read More

BCBSA Health of America report shows 44% rise in knee and hip replacements as Generation X opts for earlier planned surgeries

Infographic with hip bone and knee circled. Data shows planned hip replacements are up 33%, with an average cost (2010-2017 inflation adjusted) increase of 5%. Planned knee replacements are up 17%, with an average cost (2010-2017 inflation adjusted) increase of 6%
Planned knee and hip replacement procedures continue to climb in cost and volume, particularly among younger Americans, according to a review of medical claims data from 2010-2017 by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA). Costing more than $25 billion nationally in 2017, planned orthopedic surgeries account for 47 percent of total orthopedic spending, reflecting a 44 percent increase since 2010....
Read More

Independence associate volunteers honor Martin Luther King, Jr. with day of service

Independence Blue Cross (Independence) associates gave back to their community in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On the federal holiday, nearly 100 corporate associates and their family and friends volunteered their time for service projects throughout the Philadelphia community. Through City Year Philadelphia, Independence “Blue Crew” volunteers painted 100 murals at Kensington High School as part of an project to create a more bright and welcoming space....
Read More

Submit your story for a chance to win the 2019 Faces of Fearless℠ Award

Living a healthy lifestyle is a brave task – especially in the face of a complex medical situation or chronic disease. As a Blue Cross Blue Shield member, your health plan is with you every step of the way. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is now collecting submissions for its annual Faces of Fearless℠ Award,...
Read More