Nov. 14, 2002

South Carolina BlueCross Wins InnoVision Technology Award for Web-based Claims Service

Columbia, S.C. -- The Upstate InnoVision Technology Awards program named BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina a first place winner during a ceremony last night in Greenville, S.C. The company was selected for its e-claims service offered to physicians and dentists.

BlueCross' entry was chosen in the technology application category from among entries exemplifying innovative application, development and support of technological advancements in the Upstate, according to the competition judges.

The company entered its e-claims service offered to physicians and dentists, in which they can send claims to BlueCross over the Internet through the company's Web sites (SouthCarolinaBlues.com and CompanionHealthCare.com) at no charge. BlueCross is the first and only health insurer in the state and the first in the nation to offer online real time claims filing for physicians.

For physicians and dentists, this speeds payment turnaround and minimizes filing errors, giving them more time to concentrate on the medical needs of their patients. The claims are sent through a secure section called My Insurance Manager, featuring numerous customer self-service transactions for physicians and for members.

"We are extremely pleased to receive this recognition from the InnoVision awards program. We're especially proud that 16,000 physicians are benefiting from the use of My Insurance Manager on our Web site," said David Boucher,assistant vice president of healthcare services.

BlueCross received more than 25,000 Web-enabled claims during October, which brings the total for the year to nearly 175,000. This is the eighth national award and third South Carolina distinction received for the company's Web initiatives. Earlier this week, the Chicago-based Forum for Healthcare Strategists presented BlueCross with a national eHealthcare Leadership Award.

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Headquartered in Columbia, the company also has an office in the Upstate.

Founded in 1999, the InnoVision Technology Awards program is designed to recognize and honor leadership in innovation and technological excellence, as well as to provide a platform for local business and community leaders to communicate and collaborate with one another. Through its awards program and series of technology forums, InnoVision plays an integral role in the focused efforts to establish the Upstate as a target market for the new technology-based economy.