PHILADELPHIA, July 14, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Independence Blue Cross (Independence) announced today that it will offer identity protection services at no charge to eligible members and their dependents starting January 1, 2016.
The new service will provide heightened safeguards for the security of members' personal and financial information, including:
- Credit monitoring. Monitors activity that may affect credit.
- Fraud detection. Identifies potentially fraudulent use of identity or credit.
- Fraud resolution support. Assists in addressing issues that arise in relation to credit monitoring and fraud detection.
Also today, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association announced that all Blue plans nationwide will make these identity protection services available to their 106 million members throughout the United States.
"For nearly 80 years, Independence has worked to protect the health of the people we serve, and we're proud to join other Blue plans in a collective commitment to protect members' personal and financial data," said Daniel J. Hilferty, Independence president and CEO. "We have been passionate for decades about protecting the health of our members, and now we're bringing that same passion to protecting the safety of our members' personal information. This is another example of the strength and power of Blue."
In the next few months, Independence will provide details to members and employer customers about how eligible members can take advantage of this new service.
In an increasingly digital world, cyberattacks are now a core threat to business and government. Independence is taking aggressive steps to strengthen protections for member information, and with its fellow Blues, is leading the health insurance industry in cutting-edge cybersecurity practices.
About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve nearly 10 million people in 24 states and the District of Columbia, including 2.5 million in the region. For nearly 80 years, we have been enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting programs and events that promote wellness. To learn more, visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook at ibx.com/facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.