News Release for Health Care Company Winning Brand Excellence Award

Strong brands inspire consumer trust - a great line from this health care company's PR. News releases are important in winning market trust, letting consumers know company and product improvements. Oh yes, even Brand Awards do matter



CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, the largest health insurer in the Mid-Atlantic region, has won the 2000 Brand Excellence Award for superior performance for the fourth year in a row from the national Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA).

"The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Brands and the values they represent are extremely important to our customers," says Gregory A. Devou, executive vice president and Chief Marketing Officer of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. " I am very proud that for the fourth time, CareFirst has been honored with this award."

"In order for us to be successful it is important that we focus on the needs of our members. Our members have come to trust the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Brands and believe in their quality," Devou said.

Created in 1995, the Brand Excellence Award recognizes those Blues Plans that make an extra effort to enhance the value and image of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Brands. CareFirst was named one of 14 Blue Cross Blue Shield plans honored with the award this year.

The three major criteria of the Brand Excellence Award are brand perception, member service and overall business performance which encompasses enrollment, service and finance. The member perception scores are based on market research conducted by BCBSA. "The Blue Brands represent our organization's No. 1 asset," explained Scott P. Serota, president and CEO of BCBSA. "Strong brands inspire consumer trust and strengthen the market position of Blues Plans."

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is composed of 47 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans that collectively provide health care coverage to 78 million - one in four - Americans.

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is a not-for-profit health care company which, along with its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products, direct health care and administrative services to nearly 3 million individuals and groups in Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia, Maryland and Delaware.