Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut Introduces Tonik For "Young Invincibles"

Innovative Product Offering Aimed at Reducing State's Large Uninsured Population

March 19, 2007

NORTH HAVEN, Conn. - Young adults between the ages of 19 and 34 comprise almost 17 million people in America today.  In Connecticut, there are approximately 64,000 people in this age category.  Many of our young adults have one major thing in common:  they typically choose to go without health insurance.

To help reduce the ranks of Connecticut's large population of uninsured, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut has introduced Tonik, a health insurance option tailored to meet the needs of the state's "young invincibles," those who have disposable income but no health insurance coverage.

"Tonik is an important new health benefit product that allows this growing demographic to purchase coverage on their own terms," said David R. Fusco, president, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut.  "Anthem conducted market research and asked this consumer group what they were looking for in a health plan.  The end result is Tonik, an expansion of our individual product portfolio that makes it easy for young consumers to understand the concepts and terminology associated with health insurance and even apply online."  (While Tonik is designed to fit the needs of young consumers, any individual below the age of 65 may apply for coverage under the plan.)

According to Fusco, there are various factors contributing to the high uninsured rate among the young.  "Many young adults lose insurance under their parents' coverage when they graduate from college, leaving them uninsured until they find a job.  Once they find employment, they may have to wait several months to be eligible for health insurance benefits - if their employer provides health insurance.  Still others feel young, healthy and invincible and lack knowledge of health care costs without insurance should they encounter a serious illness or be involved in an accident."

According to a recent poll conducted by USA Today and the National Endowment for Financial Education, adults younger than 35 are nearly twice as likely to be uninsured as adults 45 and older.  Also according to the poll, twenty-seven percent of young adults in their twenties have no health insurance. 

Tonik health plans, first introduced in 2004 by a predecessor company to Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Blue Shield in California, have since been launched by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado, Nevada and Georgia.  In these states, approximately 78 percent of current Tonik enrollees were previously uninsured.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in both Connecticut and New Hampshire are now offering a range of Tonik offerings that include medical, pharmacy, dental and vision.  Prices depend on the plan and the person's age, medical history and geographic location.

"We found through our research that this demographic group wants excellent coverage in one user-friendly product.  With Tonik plans beginning at less than $100 a month, we are able to offer the type of coverage "young invincibles" are looking for at rates young adults can afford," said Fusco.  "By introducing innovative new products and services like Tonik, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut is working to improve our members' health, enhance health care quality and address their affordability concerns."

To apply for Tonik online, go to http://www.tonikhealth.com or contact an independent health insurance agent.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut:
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut is a licensed insurance company with a long history of providing innovative products and services to its customers.  Anthem's mission is to improve the lives of the people it serves and the health of its communities.  Through its affiliated operating companies, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield delivers a number of leading health benefit solutions through a large portfolio of integrated health care plans and related services.  In addition, Anthem has a wide range of specialty products such as pharmacy benefit management, dental, vision and behavioral health benefit services.  Anthem Life Insurance Company, an Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield affiliate, offers complementary life and disability insurance benefits.  Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of WellPoint, Inc., headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.  WellPoint, Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and through its licensed Blue Cross and Blue Shield affiliates, serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as Blue Cross Blue Shield in 10 New York City metropolitan and surrounding counties and as Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield in selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), Wisconsin; and through UniCare.  Additional information is available at www.wellpoint.com.