BCBSNC Gives N.C. Health Departments $300,000 to Cover Cost of Flu Vaccines.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Dec. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Following up on a recent announcement that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) would cover the cost of the FluMist intranasal influenza vaccine for its members this flu season, the company has given a grant of $300,000 to the North Carolina Health Department to cover health department clinics' costs of providing flu vaccines to BCBSNC members.

BCBSNC will cover expenses for members who receive either type of flu vaccine in their physician's office, clinic or their local health department. Because health departments typically are not contracting providers with BCBSNC (and therefore are not eligible for reimbursement by the company), the grant will cover the expense of any flu vaccine administered to BCBSNC members by health departments.

The grant is not intended to include State Health Plan members because the State Health Plan directly reimburses local health departments.

In the event this grant does not cover the cost of BCBSNC members receiving flu vaccines during this flu season (prior to April 1, 2004), the North Carolina Health Department may request additional funding from BCBSNC. If the grant exceeds the cost of coverage for BCBSNC members as of April 1, 2004, the North Carolina Health Department may retain the funds to assist in providing health care for North Carolina residents.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is a leader in delivering innovative health care products, services and information to approximately 2.9 million members, including approximately 500,000 served on behalf of other Blue Plans. The company offers its members the Blue Extras(SM) value-added programs, which provide discounts and information on a wide variety of health- related services at no additional cost. BCBSNC also offers life, dental, long- term care and disability insurance products. For 70 years, the company has served its customers by offering access to quality health care at a competitive price and has served the people of North Carolina through support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health.

BCBSNC's HMO and POS products have earned Excellent Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), an independent, not-for- profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of health care delivered to people everywhere. BCBSNC also has North Carolina's first and only NCQA-accredited PPO plan - Blue Options(SM). Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Access BCBSNC online at http://www.bcbsnc.com/ .

CONTACT: Mark Stinneford, [phone], or Michelle Douglas, [phone], both of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

Web site: http://www.bcbsnc.com/