Independence Blue Cross empowers members to "Achieve with Independence"

New technology-based tools and programs provide motivation to live healthy

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Oct 13, 2017, 09:45 ET

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Independence Blue Cross (Independence) is giving its members personalized resources and tools to help them lead a healthier life and achieve their health goals. The Achieve with Independence digital toolset empowers members to take an active role in their health, follow through with treatment plans, seek preventive care, and develop healthy habits that will serve them well for the rest of their lives.

Achieve Well-being from Independence Blue Cross

"We've made it easy for our members to achieve what's important to them — whether that is improving overall health and well-being, managing a chronic condition, better understanding health benefits, or managing health finances." said Paula Sunshine, senior vice president and chief marketing executive at Independence. "Our suite of innovative digital resources and tools put members in control of their health and well-being goals while providing support and inspiration to stay on track."

Achieve Well-being
Achieve Well-being, a new motivating and easy to use online toolset to help members start their well-being journey and stay on the path to better health, demonstrates Independence's commitment to helping members Achieve with Independence. Powered by New Ocean Health Solutions, a Conshohocken-based software company, this suite of customized tools integrates with technology that members are already using, like mobile apps and digital health trackers, to seamlessly create a well-being journey that is simple, easy, and fun.

"Together with Independence Blue Cross, New Ocean is bridging the gap to holistic health and well-being," said Hal Rosenbluth, chairman and CEO of New Ocean Health Solutions. "Our mobile-first platform encompasses all aspects of well-being to power solutions that take people on a personalized health journey. It begins with the discovery of goals based on their readiness to change and guides them to tools and resources that puts them in charge of their own health and promotes continuous healthy sustainable change for improved overall well-being."

The member journey begins when a member logs onto ibxpress.com – Independence's member website – or via the IBX mobile app. Once a member is registered, he or she completes a confidential well-being profile. The results of the profile suggest specific focus areas and activities suited to a member's needs, and each member's personalized action plan provides access to helpful articles, videos, and recipes. Earned tokens and badges for completing activities and reaching significant milestones help members stay motivated and engaged.

Achieve Well-being integrates with other Worksite Well-being solutions and is free to employers. With multiple focus areas, such as nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep, and financial well-being, the Achieve tools are designed to create incremental behavior changes towards a healthier lifestyle while driving stronger, lasting employee engagement. The Achieve Well-being platform can also be configured based on the specific needs of their employees, including the opportunity to add employee challenges and extra rewards and incentives at an incremental cost.

Mobile engagement
Achieve with Independence is made more powerful by IBX Wire, the company's secure text message channel. According to a November 2016 Pew Research Center survey, 77 percent of Americans own a smartphone — supporting Independence's shift to a mobile-first strategy. Achieve with Independence helps members connect to Independence via email and/or IBX Wire and receive customized and actionable messages about their benefits, health action plans, and information related to their well-being. These messages can also drive further engagement directly to the tools and resources members need to address the reason they were contacted by Independence.

Powered by Relay, a Radnor-based technology company, IBX Wire allows for ongoing, personalized communications between Independence and its members through a secure, HIPAA-compliant channel.

"We are dedicated to bringing unique digital capabilities to employers and members throughout the region and nationwide, and teaming up with likeminded, innovative companies like New Ocean and Relay allows us to fulfill that goal," added Sunshine.

Also, under Achieve with Independence, members can access 24/7 health coaches and a multitude of care management programs along with discounts and reimbursements on health-related products and services.

About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve more than 8.5 million people in 24 states and the District of Columbia, including more than 2.5 million in the region. For almost 80 years, we have been enhancing the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting programs and events that promote wellness. To learn more, visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.