Human Rights Campaign Lists Hcsc As One Of The Best Places To Work

September 14, 2009

CHICAGO – Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) is setting an example for how employers should engage lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees.  The company has received a perfect score in the "Corporate Equality Index" – a civil rights rating scale for large employers established by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).  HRC is the country's largest organization working to achieve LGBT equality and HCSC is America's largest customer-owned health insurer through its Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

"This is the first year we have received a perfect score in HRC's Corporate Equality Index and our commitment to diversity has never been stronger," said Patricia Hemingway Hall, President and CEO of HCSC. "Our industry is going through a year of change and we are better equipped to lead with diverse executives at our helm and employees on our team."

Several key factors contributed to HCSC's perfect score:

• A non-discrimination policy for employees that incorporates sexual orientation as well as gender identity or expression

• Providing health insurance to employees' domestic partners

• Guidelines that assist employees with a gender transition

• The use of appropriate and respectful marketing to the LGBT community

• The existence of an employer-supported LGBT employee resource group

For more information about diversity at HCSC, please visit the "Commitments" section at HCSC.com.

About Health Care Service Corporation
Health Care Service Corporation is the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall, with 12.4 million members in its Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. A Mutual Legal Reserve Company, HCSC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. HCSC has a rating of AA- (Very Strong) from Standard and Poor's, Aa3 (Excellent) from Moody's and A+ (Superior) from A.M. Best Company. For more information, visit www.HCSC.com.