Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) announced today that once again it is offering free flu shots to its members starting October 1. Flu shots will be available at regional high–risk clinics, more than 700 retail locations throughout North Carolina, many large employer worksites, as well as most participating physicians’ offices.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) today announced its first health savings account (HSA) product for individuals. The new product, Blue Options HSASM, will be available beginning Nov. 7, 2005 for Jan. 1, 2006 effective dates.

Each of the 385 Hurricane Katrina evacuees being sheltered in the Raleigh area will receive new clothes and shoes tomorrow with donations from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). BCBSNC’s gift of $69,300, given through the Wake County Department of Human Services, will ensure that each person is able to pay for $180 in clothing and shoes.

Kathy Higgins, who leads comprehensive corporate citizenship initiatives for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), has been named vice president of Community Relations for the company. The Community Relations Department includes both corporate contributions and an independent, private charitable foundation.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) reported consolidated net income of $90.1 million for the six months ending June 30, 2005 – 13 percent less than the company earned during the same period last year, and roughly 25 percent less than the company earned during the same period in 2003.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) has reached a multi-year agreement for all hospitals of Greensboro-based Moses Cone Health System to remain in the health insurer’s networks

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) today filed a lawsuit against the special interest group ProCare, contending the group acted illegally to take and publish confidential business information owned by BCBSNC.

"We have typically held our food drive during the holiday season, when many other organizations are holding food drives," said Kathy Higgins, BCBSNC Senior Director of Community Relations. "But hunger does not take a vacation, so this year's summer food drive is timed to help when the Food Bank needs it most."

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) today announced an expansion of its North Carolina facilities and the creation of up to 500 new jobs in the state.

With the start of hurricane season and experts predicting another above-normal hurricane season, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) is encouraging members to take steps now to protect their health. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officials have predicted an above-normal 2005 hurricane season, possibly on par with last year’s historically destructive storms.