Independence Blue Cross Announces New, Expanded Role For Key Executive

Paul Tufano promoted to lead government business; will continue as general counsel

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Jan 19, 2010, 02:39 ET

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Independence Blue Cross (IBC) announced today that Paul A. Tufano has assumed an expanded role of senior vice president, general counsel and chief government business executive. He will continue to report to IBC president and CEO Joseph A. Frick.

Tufano has been senior vice president and general counsel since November 1999 when he joined IBC.

Tufano will be responsible for the strategic, financial, and tactical leadership of the company's government business and its products and programs. IBC's government business includes Medicare and Medicaid products, as well as health plans for low-income members: the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), adultBasic, and Special Care.

Tufano will also oversee the company's Medicaid business and serve as the liaison between Independence Blue Cross and the AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies, a Medicaid managed care company headquartered in Philadelphia and providing services in 13 states. AmeriHealth Mercy is jointly owned as a partnership of Independence Blue Cross and Mercy Health System. Tufano will serve on the board of directors of AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies.

Tufano will continue in his role of general counsel in providing oversight for the legal, regulatory, and corporate governance affairs of IBC.

"In recent years, we have faced significant challenges in continuing to provide our members with coverage through federally-funded and state-funded programs," said IBC president and CEO Frick. "Paul's dynamic leadership and his ability to think strategically make him perfect to lead this complex and critical growth area for our company. Paul has earned the respect of his peers in both the legal and business communities because of his expertise and ability to work through complex legal and business challenges."

Before joining IBC, Tufano served for five years as general counsel to former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge. In 2002, he was appointed cochair of the transition team for then-Governor-elect Edward G. Rendell.

Active in the legal community, Tufano was the founding chairman of the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Government Lawyers committee and has served on the board of trustees of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation, which exists to raise funds for legal services for the poor. He has been honored for his work in this area by both the Pennsylvania Bar Association and Pennsylvania Legal Services. He serves on several boards, including the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, WHYY, Villanova University, and the Committee of Seventy. He is currently president of the Villanova University Alumni Association and is cochairing the search for the next dean of Villanova's law school.

Tufano is a graduate of Villanova University where he earned both his bachelor's degree and his law degree.

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.3 million people. For more than 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross's HMO and PPO health care plans have consistently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Independence Blue Cross supports comprehensive health care reform that would extend coverage to all Americans, reduce costs, and improve quality. We also advocate reform that builds on the current employer-based system that currently serves 170 million Americans. Learn more about our views on health care legislation now working its way through Congress by visiting our website at www.ibx.com/about_ibc/health_care_reform .

Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. More information about Independence Blue Cross is available at www.ibx.com.

SOURCE Independence Blue Cross