Blues Donations Surpass $3 Million to Aid Victims of Hurricane Katrina; Blue Cross and Blue Shield Companies Providing Services, Time, Materials to Relief Efforts.

CHICAGO -- Donations from Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to the American Red Cross have exceeded $3 million to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina - more than triple the initial $1 million pledged. In addition, the Blues are providing volunteers, adjusting claims processing, as well as other non-monetary donations. Efforts to provide relief to the injured and homeless have poured in from Blue Plans across the country and continue to grow.

"As the scope of this tragedy continues to grow, our efforts to help provide relief during this human crisis will not stop," said Scott P. Serota, President and CEO of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA). "Throughout the Blues System of 40 independent companies, our commitment has always been community first. And we are doing whatever we can to help the people and families affected in the Gulf-state communities."

The $3 million in Blues pledges includes donations from BCBSA and individual Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies, as well as employee-matching programs and individual employee contributions.

In addition, many Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are altering prescription drug and other health policy guidelines to make it easier for BCBS members in the affected area to get needed care. The BCBS Federal Employee Program (FEP), which provides insurance coverage to more than half of the federal government's workforce, announced that it would be modifying certain coverage guidelines for federal employees in the affected areas.

As recovery efforts continue and evacuation of affected areas goes into full swing, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are providing many in-kind contributions to the relief effort as well. For example, the Blues are providing assistance to relocate critical hospital patients and storm victims to safety - including newborns and the elderly who are most vulnerable. Many Blue Plans are implementing unique network and claims processing arrangements to offer flexibility to help assure that medical claims are paid.

As evacuees begin to be relocated across the country, local Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are providing mobile health units to provide immunizations for children, health screenings and eyeglasses.

Other efforts include working with local physician associations to help provide medical supplies; sending nurses to evacuation centers; donations of food, clothing and gift cards; housing assistance and encouraging associates to volunteer with relief efforts. Many Blues companies are accommodating Red Cross volunteers with donated time off or providing matching time off for employees asking to work with evacuees or other relief efforts.

"Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina, for example, is matching vacation days 2-to-1 for up to 100 employees who want to assist in recovery efforts," said Serota. "They are providing two weeks of paid leave for employees contributing one week of their vacation time to volunteer for special three-week assignments as Red Cross volunteers.

"This disaster affects all of us. And the Blues are committed - from our local communities to our national recovery - to lending a helping hand to those in need," he said.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is made up of 40 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for more than 93 million - nearly one-in-three - Americans. For more information on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and its Plans, please visit www.BCBS.com.