Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Launches Member Access on its Web site.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 3, 2002

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGA) now offers members the opportunity to view their member records, day or night, through Member Access, a function of AccessBlue, its online transaction service.

"BCBSGA is customer focused in everything we do. By allowing our members access to BCBSGA customer service, we can leverage technology in our effort to meet our members changing needs," said Becky Kapustay, President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia. "This Internet capability enables members to verify eligibility, check claim status or print a copy of an explanation of benefits with just a point and a click," added Ms. Kapustay.

Member Access enables members through this BCBSGA web site to:

-- Change a primary care physician (PCP)

-- Request a new member ID card

-- Check a claim status

-- Review and print his or her Explanation of Benefits (EOB)

-- View his or her benefits

To alleviate privacy questions, BCBSGA exceeded HIPAA requirements in developing AccessBlue's security features. Data transmissions are 128-bit encrypted to and from secure servers. Each log on requires a credentials check of the user's ID and password, which are issued by BCBSGA.

Also available at www.bcbsga.com:

-- On-line Provider Directory for Georgia and National BlueCard

providers

-- Helpful Q&A sections to learn more about one's BCBSGA health

plan

-- Informative health and wellness information on a variety of

topics including women's health, child immunizations, smoking

cessation and more

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, serving more than 2.2 million medical members, is the oldest and largest health benefits company in Georgia. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia is an operating subsidiary of WellPoint Health Networks Inc., one of the nation's largest publicly traded health care companies serving the health care needs of more than 13 million medical members and approximately 46.6 million specialty members nationally. WellPoint offers a broad spectrum of quality network-based health products including open access PPO, POS and hybrid products, HMO and specialty products. Specialty products include pharmacy benefit management, dental, utilization management, vision, mental health, life and disability insurance, long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, COBRA administration, and Medicare supplements. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia may be found on the web at www.bcbsga.com. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.