Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri Harnesses Social Media to Interact with Members

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Not just for teens anymore--social networking and media tools such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are being used by adults to interact with their friends, families and to gain information. Now, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield members can add these tools to the list of ways to interact with their health insurer. In an effort to remain engaged and responsive to its members like never before, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri is leveraging highly interactive social media communities as a way to interact with its members, and for members to interact with Anthem.

"At Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, we understand that more teens, adults and even seniors are logging online to tweet, network, or blog about their daily activities, likes, dislikes, among other things," said Dennis Matheis, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri . "Tools such as Twitter and Facebook provide an additional means of communicating with our members and all consumers in the communities we serve in a way that's convenient and of interest for them."

Currently, Anthem is piloting a program in which it uses Twitter to identify members who may have questions or concerns about their health benefits. Twitter allows Anthem to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, real time conversation, and respond to each tweet about Anthem. Members can follow Anthem on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AnthemHealth

Twitter is also one component of Anthem's collaboration with Bob Harper from "The Biggest Loser" to provide information and tools to help members and people in our communities live healthy lives. After only a month since the launch, more than 3,500 people are following Bob's regular tweets with tips on how to get healthy and stay healthy at www.twitter.com/BobHarperAnthem.

Additionally, Anthem is also utilizing Facebook (www.facebook.com/anthemhealthfootprint) to create a community where people can interact with Anthem and with each other, and learn about how our health is connected and how one person's healthy behaviors can positively affect someone else's health behaviors. Anthem is also launching a brand channel on YouTube (www.youtube.com/AnthemHealthConnects) to create a vital and viral community around health and wellness.

"Building relationships with our members and showing the human face of our company is critical, especially today when so many rely on online tools and communications for all aspects of their life, but even more so with something as personal as health care," said Kate Quinn, vice president of corporate marketing for Anthem's parent company. "Social media provide a great opportunity for us to engage our members, listen to them and be more responsive."

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri

In Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area) Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name for RightCHOICE(R) Managed Care, Inc. (RIT), Healthy Alliance(R) Life Insurance Company (HALIC), and HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates administer non-HMO benefits underwritten by HALIC and HMO benefits underwritten by HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates only provide administrative services for self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. (R)ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri is available at www.anthem.com.

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri