For immediate release: April 30, 2012

Contact: PVHS: Gary Kimsey, 970.495-7427, glk@pvhs.org Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield: Joyzelle Davis, 303.831.2005, Joyzelle.davis@anthem.com

Poudre Valley Health System, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado team to offer affordable health plan for northern Colorado

Poudre Valley Health System (PVHS) and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield today announced a collaboration to offer a new, affordable health plan for Northern Colorado employers. Anthem's HMO Select, which is effective July 1, is a new plan exclusive to PVHS that brings together two organizations committed to finding ways to enhance the overall quality, efficiency and safety of clinical care at reduced costs.

"Poudre Valley Health System and Anthem worked together to provide a solution for businesses so they can have affordable choices and options for coverage, benefits and preventive care services for employees and their families," said Carl Smith, vice president of PVHS payor relations.

HMO Select's hospital benefits will be exclusive to Poudre Valley Hospital and the Medical Center of the Rockies, including PVHS's urgent care centers and radiation centers in Greeley, Loveland and Fort Collins. HMO Select will include a large group of independent physicians and Poudre Valley Medical Group (PVMG) to guarantee comprehensive coverage for all members.

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"Anthem is committed to providing high-quality, affordable health care solutions. This innovative collaboration with Poudre Valley Health System gives Northern Colorado employees a lower cost plan with access to a defined network of providers located in the communities where they live and work," said Mike Ramseier, president and general manager, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado.

HMO Select will be available to local small group (two to 50 employees) and large group employers.  It will include Anthem's unique benefits such as its 24/7 nurse line, free annual checkups and 360 degree health and wellness programs like Condition Care, which helps members with complex medical conditions receive help following their doctor's care plan.

PVHS works with partners to offers a variety of benefit plan solutions for employers, including self-funded plan management, choice-driven plans and network-driven plans.

About Poudre Valley Health System

Poudre Valley Health System is a locally owned, private, not-for profit organization with a strong vision: to provide world-class health care. Based in northern Colorado since 1925, PVHS is a regional medical hub that includes Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colo., Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, Colo., Poudre Valley Medical Group, and dozens of associated clinics and outpatient services. The system recently finalized a joint operating agreement with University of Colorado Hospital in Denver to form University of Colorado Health. The partnership combines one of the top-performing community health systems in the nation with the highest-ranked academic medical center in the country in quality into an organization dedicated to building a healthier community and providing unmatched patient care in the Rocky Mountain West.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. ® 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 Colorado is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/healthjoinin, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthJoinIn, or visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/healthjoinin.

--PVHS--