Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

> In 2006, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) awarded an accreditation rating of "excellent" to Blue Cross for commercial HMO/POS combined products and "full accreditation" for PPO product lines - the first health plan in the state to achieve full accreditation. Full accreditation is granted to those PPO plans that have excellent programs for continuous quality improvement and meet NCQA's rigorous standards.

> NCQA has also awarded Blue Cross a Quality Plus "distinction" award for leading the market in measuring the quality and cost of care provided to members by providers and hospitals. Blue Cross is also the only Minnesota health plan to earn NCQA's "rating of distinction" for member connections, recognizing Blue Cross for helping members understand their health plan and manage their health care costs.

> Blue Cross was the national PPO benchmark for two categories, Plan Profile (health plan operations) and Chronic Disease Management in the National Business Coalition on Health's 2007 eValue8 scores. This survey provides comparative national data for employers to make benefit decisions and to give health plans market feedback.

> In 2006, Blue Cross received the prestigious Minnesota Keystone Honored Company Award from the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce for improving the quality of life in Minnesota - the first nonprofit company to receive the award.

> In 2006 the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association awarded a Best of Blue award to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota for its successful "Recognizing Excellence" program. Blue Cross provider groups that participated in this program over three years documented significant improvements in helping patients manage diabetes and helping smokers try to quit.