Top Blue Cross and Blue Shield-Branded Managed Care Organizations Lost More Than One Million Members in the First Half of 2008

HealthLeaders-InterStudy, the leading provider of managed care market intelligence, reports that the 15 largest Blue Cross and Blue Shield-branded managed care organizations collectively lost more than one million members between January 2008 and July 2008. According to data available in Managed Market Surveyor-Rx, of the largest 15 managed care organizations that carry the Blue brand, eight organizations reported a decline in total medical enrollment. Blue Shield of California and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey were among the Blue Shield-branded plans posting a medical enrollment loss over the first half of 2008.

"Blue Cross and Blue Shield-branded plans typically dominate the markets in which they operate, and have traditionally shown the most solid enrollment growth compared to non-Blue plans. However, we're seeing that Blue plans have been losing members to aggressive pricing from national insurers. In addition, national insurers have worked to expand their provider networks, making them more competitive," said Jane DuBose, director of Health Plan Analysis for HealthLeaders-InterStudy. "In light of the recession, we anticipate enrollment shifts will continue."

Enrollment data in Managed Market Surveyor-Rx describes plan and funding type including commercial lives (HMO, PPO, consumer-driven), Medicaid/Medicare and fully/self-insured.

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Managed Market Surveyor-Rx delivers medical and pharmacy benefit enrollment data by managed care organization and geography (national, state, MSA) to better inform strategic planning and resource allocation. Relying on primary research and HealthLeaders-InterStudy's proprietary validation methodology, Managed Market Surveyor-Rx provides the most accurate managed care database available.

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  For more information, contact:    Lisa Osgood                                   Elizabeth Marshall   HealthLeaders-InterStudy                      Decision Resources, Inc.   781-296-2606                                  781-296-2563   losgood@hl-isy.com                            emarshall@dresources.com 

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SOURCE: HealthLeaders-InterStudy