Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida Joins Insweb to Offer Individual Health Insurance.SAN MATEO San Mateo (săn mətā`ō), city (1990 pop. 85,486), San Mateo co., W Calif., on San Francisco Bay; inc. 1894. It is a commercial and retail center with some high-technology manufacturing. San Mateo, Spanish for St. , Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 31, 1998--InsWeb, the leading online insurance marketplace, announced today that Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Shield A US not-for-profit health care insurer that is a reimbursement intermediary for physicians. Cf Blue Cross. of Florida is offering individual health insurance to consumers at www.insweb.com. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida is the first individual health provider to be added to InsWeb's comparative health insurance service. "We are pleased to be working with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida," said Kevin Keegan Joseph Kevin Keegan, OBE (born February 14, 1951 in Armthorpe, Doncaster, England)[1] is a former English football manager and is regarded as one of the all-time greatest British football players. , InsWeb's President of Insurance Services. "Each year, more than 10 million consumers purchase individual health coverage nationally, and many find that comparison shopping is difficult. At InsWeb, we simplify the process and allow consumers to compare prices and select coverage from leading insurance companies." Said Cindy Tanton, Director of Database Marketing for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida: "For Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, InsWeb helps tap into the rapidly growing Internet marketplace See vertical portal and Web hub. and provides technology that can significantly reduce the sorts of lead generation activities. "In addition to providing another channel to obtain leads, Internet access puts the customer in control of the initial phases of the purchasing process and provides relationship building interactivity." Each year, more than 10 million households shop for, purchase or renew individual health insurance. In 1995, more than $17.5 billion were paid in premiums -- a 38 percent increase since 1990. In addition to individual health insurance, InsWeb offers quotes for auto, term life, homeowners and renters insurance. Consumers fill out a single form and can receive multiple quotes from brand name carriers, including State Farm, Nationwide, Liberty Mutual, Kemper, and CNA (Certified NetWare Administrator) See Novell certification. . Consumer research shows that the most difficult part of buying insurance is collecting enough quotes and information to make an informed comparison. The price of identical coverage often varies widely from company to company. Consumers can access InsWeb's comparison shopping service at www.insweb.com, as well as through numerous InsWeb partners, including Yahoo!, Microsoft Money 99, USA Today Online and InfoSpace. How It Works Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida is offering three types of plans through InsWeb -- HMO HMO health maintenance organization. HMO n. A corporation that is financed by insurance premiums and has member physicians and professional staff who provide curative and preventive medicine within certain financial, , PPO PPO abbr. preferred provider organization PPO Managed care Preferred provider organization, see there Infectious disease Pleuropneumonia-like organism, see there , and traditional health insurance plans. Consumers choose the plan and type of coverage they want and fill out a short form to determine their eligibility. If consumers meet BCBSF BCBSF Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida eligibility requirements, they will be presented with a monthly premium and a detailed plan description. Consumers can request coverage for that plan and will be contacted by a BCBSF representative. About BCBSF Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida is Florida's largest health insurance provider and plan administrator. The company is a member of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The nonprofit, Jacksonville-based Blue Cross and its subsidiaries serve more than 8. (BCBSF) is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
A financially-strong, tax-paying mutual company, BCBSF is subject to the same regulation by the Department of Insurance as other health care organizations operating in Florida. Standard and Poor's Noun 1. Standard and Poor's - a broadly based stock market index Standard and Poor's Index recently affirmed its `A+' claims-paying ability and credit ratings of BCBSF, and A.M. Best Company affirmed its "A" rating. The ratings are based on BCBSF's strong market position, good earnings profile and excellent capitalization. BCBSF covers over two million Floridians. About InsWeb InsWeb, the leading Internet insurance marketplace at www.insweb.com, helps consumers save time and money by providing free price comparisons from brand name insurance companies from a single form. InsWeb's 18 participating carriers offer auto, term life, homeowners, renters, individual health and short-term medical insurance. Consumers can also use InsWeb's interactive tools and research capabilities to make more informed decisions. InsWeb is accessible at Yahoo!, USA TODAY Online, Microsoft Money 99, as well as other leading Web sites. InsWeb is headquartered in San Mateo, Calif.
CONTACT: InsWeb Corporation
Linda Smith, 650/372-2213
lsmith@insweb.com
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