2008-10-13 19:41:03 -

- The Center for Health Value Innovation (www.vbhealth.org), welcomes its newest member, WellPoint, Inc. (www.wellpoint.com), the nation's leading health benefits company serving the needs of approximately 35 million medical members nationwide. With a mission to improve the lives of the people it serves and the health of its communities, WellPoint recognizes the importance of adopting an integrated value-based benefit design

and the role of the Center as the nation's premier organization dedicated to establishing value and producing evidence for sustainable health and financial improvement.

"The Center provides an important resource for WellPoint as we collaborate on initiatives with employers, providers and members," says Brian Sweet, WellPoint's chief pharmacy officer, who recently became a member of the Center's board of directors. "The Center serves as a platform for sharing success stories and assisting stakeholders throughout the country in setting standards for the practice of investing in our nation's at-risk populations to improve health care through behavior change strategies."

Through access to networks across the country, WellPoint's affiliated health plans deliver leading health benefit solutions through a broad portfolio of integrated health care plans and related services, along with a wide range of specialty products, such as life and disability insurance benefits, pharmacy benefit management, dental, vision, behavioral health benefit services, as well as long-term care insurance and flexible spending accounts.

"By joining the Center, we can work more effectively to implement solutions that promote better health care and bring value to our members and their employers," said Lisa Guertin, WellPoint senior vice president of commercial marketing and product.

The Center continues to expand its membership, attract prominent thought leaders to its board of directors, and amass the support of key constituents who share a mission to promote implementation of value-based designs.

"WellPoint's local presence and national coverage create opportunities for collaborative programs that reward physicians and hospitals for clinical quality and excellence," says Cyndy Nayer, president and executive director of the Center. "We welcome their commitment to health improvement and care management, which brings added value to customers and healthcare professionals by improving individual health and impacting healthcare cost trends."

Member inquiries: www.vbhealth.org or cyndyn@vbhealth.org.

About WellPoint, Inc.

WellPoint, Inc. is a leading U.S. health plan offering a broad range of medical and specialty products to approximately 35 million medical members. One in nine Americans receives coverage for their medical care through WellPoint's health plans. The company is a Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield licensee in 14 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

About The Center for Health Value Innovation

Launched in 2007, The Center for Health Value Innovation is a not-for-profit (501c3) organization representing industry stakeholders committed to sharing the evidence that value-based health designs improve health status and reduce health cost inflation. Visit www.vbhealth.org.

CPR for Center for Health Value Innovation
Jim Stroh, 201-641-1911 x18
Jstroh@cpronline.com