Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Earns Perfect Score for 2017 Corporate Equality Index

EAGAN, Minn., Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Blue Cross) today announced achieving a perfect score (100) on the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) annual Corporate Equality Index (CEI) for 2017. Blue Cross was among 1,043 businesses in the United States rated this year, and one of 517 to achieve the top rating of 100 percent and named a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality. The CEI is recognized as the premier national benchmark for LGBT workplace inclusion.

"Blue Cross is proud to have again achieved a 100 percent rating on the Corporate Equality Index," said Paula Phillippe, senior vice president of human resources and external relations for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. "Achieving this high standard is important in sustaining a talented workforce in Minnesota and showing the company's commitment to promote an inclusive workplace for all employees."

The CEI rates companies on 40 specific policies and practices. To achieve a perfect score and the coveted distinction of "Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality," companies must have fully-inclusive equal employment opportunity policies, provide equal employment benefits, demonstrate organizational LGBT competency, evidence their commitment to equality publicly and exercise responsible citizenship.

For more information on the 2017 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (bluecrossmn.com), with headquarters in the St Paul suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota's first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today as a health company: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. Blue Cross is a not-for-profit, taxable organization. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago.

About the Human Right Commission Corporate Equality Index
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

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SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota