Health Care Service Corporation Earns Top Marks on Corporate Equality Index for LGBTQ Workplace Equality

CHICAGO, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), the nation's largest customer-owned health insurer and operator of Blue Cross Blue Shield health plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, today announced it received a score of 100 percent for the second consecutive year on the 2018 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), designating the company as an employer of choice for LGBTQ equality. The CEI, a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality, is administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

"We recognize an inclusive culture is critical to our ability to innovate on behalf of our customers, and we are honored by this designation from the Corporate Equality Index," said Manika Turnbull, vice president and chief diversity officer, HCSC. "Health Care Service Corporation is a place in which diversity thrives, embracing differences in both our employees and our members and cultivating a variety of perspectives that is representative of the communities we serve. Diversity and inclusion are woven into everything we do, it's a way of doing business here, and that's something we'll continue to improve year over year."

As part of its commitment to developing diversity management skills among employees, HCSC offers a Pride Alliance business resource group (BRG), a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered cohort that fosters a successful and diverse workforce through sponsored educational seminars, an open membership policy, networking, mentoring, and community outreach.

Working with HCSC's Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI), which manages diversity and inclusion initiatives in the workplace, Pride Alliance helped introduce an online provider directory in October 2017, through GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality, to provide information and resources to LGBTQ members and their families. GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality is the world's largest and oldest association of health care professionals committed to providing individuals with health care services regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status. Using the directory, members can search for primary care providers, specialists, and other health care professionals that welcome LGBTQ individuals. The directory is a free tool that does not require registration, and can be found on each plan's site under member services.

HCSC continues to create a more open and inclusive culture, align diversity initiatives with business strategies, and leverage the strength of its diverse employee base to promote the health and wellness of members and the community through its BRGs, educational videos, and seminars on being an LGBTQ ally. To learn more about diversity and inclusion initiatives at HCSC, visit http://www.hcsc.com/our-impact/diversity.

For more information on the 2018 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.

About Health Care Service Corporation
Health Care Service Corporation is the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall, with nearly 15 million members in its Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. A Mutual Legal Reserve Company, HCSC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. HCSC has a rating of A+ (Strong) from Standard and Poor's, A1 (Good) from Moody's and A (Excellent) from A.M. Best Company. For more information, please visit HCSC.com, visit our Facebook page or follow us at www.twitter.com/HCSC.

About Human Rights Campaign Foundation
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.

SOURCE Health Care Service Corporation

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