New Report: Early-Onset Dementia and Alzheimer’s diagnoses spike

Independence saw more than an 80 percent increase in the prevalence of members age 30-44 with Alzheimer’s disease and/or early onset dementia between 2014 and 2017

Philadelphia – February 27, 2020 –  According to data collected by Independence Blue Cross and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, diagnoses of early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in our region and across the country have notably increased in recent years....
Read More

Independence recognized by City Council for Millennial Health efforts

Group photo from City Council Resolution recognizing Independence Blue Cross's efforts to address health challenges facing millennials
Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson presents a City Council Resolution to Stephen Fera, senior vice president of Public Affairs at Independence Blue Cross; Lorina Marshall-Blake, vice president of Community Affairs, and several associates who advocate on behalf of the Health of America initiative.  On February 21, newly elected City Councilwoman At-Large Katherine Gilmore Richardson recognized Independence Blue Cross for its efforts to raise awareness about critical millennial health issues....
Read More

Video: Independence brings Millennial Health discussion to Philadelphia

Hundreds gathered at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia on November 6, 2019 for the Health of America Forum, hosted by Independence Blue Cross (Independence) and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. “Millennial Health: A Call to Action” offered a chance to understand more about millennials and learn how Blue Plans are working to address the health care risks of this generation....
Read More

Key takeaways from the first-ever Health of America conference

Hundreds gathered at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia on November 6 for the Health of America Forum, hosted by Independence Blue Cross and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. “Millennial Health: A Call to Action” offered a chance to understand more about millennials and learn how Blue Plans are working to address the health care risks of this generation....
Read More

Independence Blue Cross and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Co-Host Inaugural Health of America Forum to Address Millennial Health Challenges

Cari Champion and Lindsey Vonn on stage at the 2019 Health of America Forum at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia
Cari Champion and Lindsey Vonn on stage at the 2019 Health of America Forum at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia

Reports show poorer health projections for millennials compared to GenX; potential economic burden

Philadelphia – November 6, 2019 – Today, Independence Blue Cross (Independence) hosted the inaugural 2019 Health of America Forum,...
Read More

Independence introduces Health of America website

Independence Blue Cross recently introduced a new website, ibx.com/healthofamerica, dedicated to news and information about the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association’s Health of America initiative. The Health of America initiative aims to understand, measure and help improve the health and well-being of all Americans. It is a source of insights, information, and powerful stories highlighting how Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) companies are leading the way to better health care — and better health — for America....
Read More

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Study Finds Millennials are Less Healthy than Generation X Were at the Same Age

Blue Cross Blue Shield Health of America Graphic - wooden blocks with health icons stacked into a pyramid and text that reads:

Philadelphia millennials are somewhat less healthy than the national average, primarily due to behavioral health conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder

Philadelphia – April 24, 2019 – Millennials in the Philadelphia region are somewhat less healthy than the national average, based on a new Health of America study using the Blue Cross Blue Shield Health IndexSM (BCBS Health Index). ...
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

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 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,...
Read More