Welborn Health Plans to leave the market, endorses Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Agreement provides employers and their employees with smooth transition of benefits to Anthem

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Evansville, Ind. health benefits provider Welborn Health Plans announced today that Welborn has endorsed Anthem as the insurer of choice for its employer groups as Welborn exits the commercial group health market in Indiana and Kentucky.

An agreement between Anthem and Welborn ensures that employers currently insured by Welborn who elect to purchase an Anthem policy will have a smooth transition of benefits and coverage for their employees.

Welborn made the strategic decision to exit the market and cease providing health benefits to its customers as of December 31, 2012 because of changes in the insurance market and significant investments that would be needed to continue to provide high quality services and products. In a letter sent this week, Welborn recommended Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield to its current employer groups and their employees.

“Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has been serving Indiana and Kentucky residents for more than 70 years. We look forward to presenting Welborn’s customers with comprehensive, affordable benefit options designed to fit their health care needs,” said Robert W. Hillman, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana.

Deb Moessner, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky added, “Anthem is committed to quality health benefits and superior customer service that Welborn customers expect and deserve.”

Welborn currently insures approximately 30,000 lives in its group business. It has endorsed Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield for its customers because of Anthem’s leading portfolio of products, large network of providers, its extensive care and disease management initiatives, wellness programs and over 70-year proven record of providing benefits in Indiana and Kentucky.

“We are committed to ensuring that our customers receive a smooth transition to their new health coverage,” said Steven J. Bory, CEO of Welborn Health Plans. “By endorsing Anthem, we are recommending an insurer like us, with a strong community presence that can provide innovative products and attentive customer service. In addition, Anthem’s statewide networks closely overlap with the Welborn network such that in most cases Welborn members who switch to Anthem will not have to change doctors.”