Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), which has nearly doubled its work force in Winston-Salem over the past three years, today announced the consolidation of its operations here into just under 153,000 square feet of office space on the Madison Park campus in northern Winston-Salem.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation (BCBSNC Foundation) today unveiled its new, interactive Button Chair exhibit, an innovative art display designed to increase awareness of breast cancer, in hopes of saving lives. The unveiling marks the start of a multi-city tour aimed at delivering breast health messages across the state throughout the rest of 2006 and beyond.

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward is encouraging Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) members to roll up their sleeves and "stick it to the flu." The popular goalie helped BCBSNC kick off the statewide free flu shot effort today with a preview of radio and newspaper ads urging North Carolinians to get their vaccine.

A Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) program that has documented significant success in helping members lose weight and adopt healthier lifestyles has been honored for innovation and effectiveness by the Harvard Medical School's Department of Health Care Policy.

Fit Together, an initiative sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) and the NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund (HWTF) to combat obesity and overweight issues facing North Carolinians, today launched the state's first comprehensive workplace wellness campaign, Fit Workplace.

In the first six months of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina's (BCBSNC's) program promoting healthy weight, nutrition and physical activity, a significant number of participants lost weight, increased exercise and lowered their blood pressure.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) today announced it is stepping up efforts to help its members save money on prescription drugs. The state’s largest health insurer is extending its zero-copayment program for generic prescription drugs through the end of 2006.

"It’s no secret that the more you do something, the better you get at it. When it comes to heart surgery, there is ample evidence that institutions with experience deliver better outcomes," said Bob Greczyn, president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. "As the state's largest health insurer, we want to give that information to our members to help them make prudent choices about where to receive non-emergency cardiac care."

The CSC Commons Building features a state-of-the-art Club BlueSM fitness center, an Employee Health Services center that includes an on-site nurse practitioner and staff of occupational health nurses, and a 4,000 square-foot "back-up" child care facility, provided to employees caught in an unexpected child care pinch.

Today, Fit Together named eight North Carolina cities and towns as a Fit Community, a new statewide designation at a ceremony held at Exploris Museum. The Fit Community designation recognizes North Carolina communities that have excelled in promoting healthier lifestyles among their residents.