Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Members Receive Help Making Healthy Eating More Affordable

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Aug 09, 2011, 11:27 ET

EAGAN, Minn., Aug. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) has teamed with Linkwell Health to deliver national, brand-name manufacturer coupons that offer wholesome choices to help members focus on their health. Blue Cross' new coupon program recently reached the mailboxes of more than 90,000 of its members with coupons and recipes for "better-for-you" foods to make healthier choices, save money and achieve a sustainable healthy lifestyle. Coupons varied from high fiber pasta to dental care products.

"Blue Cross wants to make the healthy choice the easy choice for our members," shared Dr. Paul Karazija, Senior Medical Director, Blue Cross. "Healthy lifestyle choices can help manage conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease. Linkwell brings a complementary offering to Blue Cross' multi-faceted approach to helping people lead healthier lives."

Blue Cross members will receive additional coupons and recipes this fall and quarterly mailings thereafter. Members' response will determine the next phase of this healthy choices program. Wellness offerings, such as coupons and recipes, are just small examples of how Blue Cross is helping people get healthier. Blue Cross has a tradition of keeping Minnesotans healthy by leading efforts from taking on Big Tobacco to sponsoring Nice Ride Minnesota to the do.® Campaign.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, 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. Go to bluecrossmn.com to learn more about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Boston-based Linkwell Health (www.linkwellhealth.com) develops proven engagement programs to improve the health and wellness of Americans. The company links together health plans, better-for-you brands and retailers to encourage positive lifestyle change through simple approaches. Linkwell Health creates customized, turnkey incentive and guidance programs for health plans to distribute to their members. Targeted mailings and online solutions make it easier and more affordable for members to choose healthier options.

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota