Blue Shield of California Launches Interactive Forum to Allow Members to Ask Each Other Questions and Share Knowledge

New Online Member Community Tool Encourages Members to Exchange Information on Health Care Issues

SAN FRANCISCO, April 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Expanding its use of new media to enable members to provide feedback, Blue Shield of California is launching a new social media forum called "Ask & Answer," where members can login and pose questions to each other.  Members can discuss topics such as allergies, dental care, diet/food/nutrition, women's health, first aid and more.   Ask & Answer is available at https://www.blueshieldca.com/askandanswer.  

"We are committed to using the power of the Internet to give our members the ability to share their thoughts and experiences on healthcare issues," said Rob Geyer, senior vice president of Customer Operations. "Ask & Answer is a fun, powerful new tool to give all Blue Shield of California members a way to harness the wisdom of the community."

According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, more and more Americans are turning to the Internet when it comes to health questions.  The study reports that 61 percent of American adults go online for health information, 68 percent ask a friend or family member, and 41 percent of patients who go online have read someone else's commentary or experience about a health issue online.  

Ask & Answer is the newest addition to Blue Shield's roster of online community tools designed to offer members accessible, consumer-oriented health information.  The program is not intended to replace the advice of a member's doctor. Last year, Blue Shield launched a pilot program called Ratings & Reviews -- it allows members to publicly rate their health plan and share their experiences.  The award-winning Ratings & Reviews pilot has generated so much feedback from members that Blue Shield will expand the program to more members this year.  

"As a not-for-profit health plan, we believe in transparency," said Geyer. "Encouraging members to exchange information allows people to get more out of their Blue Shield membership while giving us feedback about how we can improve our service."

About Blue Shield of California

Blue Shield of California, an independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health plan with 3.4 million members, 4,800 employees, and one of the largest provider networks; it offers a wide range of commercial and government products throughout the state. Blue Shield of California has contributed more than $120 million over the past four years to the Blue Shield of California Foundation -- which this year was named one of BusinessWeek's 20 most generous corporate foundations.  Contact your local agent or broker for more information about Blue Shield products and services, or visit the Blue Shield web site at  www.blueshieldca.com.

SOURCE Blue Shield of California

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