Premera Blue Cross Named 2007 "Best Healthcare Employer" by Voters In Seattle Times/Post-Intelligencer Competition

Business Wire, Nov 12, 2007

2nd Year in a Row that Premera Sweeps Major Categories

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash. -- By popular vote for the second year running, the Seattle Times/Post-Intelligencer NWJobs "People's Picks" competition has named Premera Blue Cross as the best employer in the Seattle area in six categories - including "Best Healthcare Employer."

Just as in 2006, Premera swept the popular voting in this non-scientific competition as the best employer in Seattle in the top categories. This year, Premera placed first in:

* Best Large Employer in Snohomish County

* Best Healthcare Employer in Seattle

* Best Non-Profit Employer in Seattle

* Best Benefits

* Most Family-Friendly

* Most Eco-Friendly

The winners were announced November 5 via the NWjobs website (www.nwjobs.com) and are being featured on nightly segments of KING5-TV's "Evening Magazine" program. The segment on Premera aired November 7.

"For the second year in a row, we've told Seattle that Premera is one of the best employers in the area," said Barbara Magusin, senior vice president of Human Resources, on Evening Magazine announcing the victory to associates. "We're number one because of the work everyone here does. This is a huge confirmation for all of us and the company we have built together."

The categories were slightly different this year, having been reduced in number and segmented by large and small companies in King (Seattle and Eastside), Pierce and Snohomish counties for "best employer." What didn't change, however, was how winners were chosen. The competition's winners were again determined by popular vote. Voters could make their mark in as many categories as they wished once each day of the competition from September 21 to October 21 at midnight.

Voters also had the opportunity to provide brief comments on why they were choosing a particular company. Following are just a few of the comments provided by those voting for Premera Blue Cross, showing why its associates think Premera is a great place to work:

* "Premera cares about its members and employees."

* "Very flexible during urgent family situations."

* "Premera is very supportive of people taking time off to recharge their batteries. The company is very understanding of the demands of families."

* "Flexible schedules are offered in most departments. We are encouraged to balance work and home life. Family comes first."

* "Premera still allows choice for health-care benefits, provides retirement and 401(k) benefits, plus life and disability. Premera takes care of its employees!"

* "Premera Blue Cross offers good medical, dental and ancillary benefits at little or no cost to the employees. The fact that the company still offers a pension plan is a plus."

* "Premera is heads above any other employer, giving back to the community ten-fold."

* "I've been to other non-profits, but this place shines. Premera cares not only about their clients and communities, but us employees as well."

About Premera Blue Cross

Our mission is to provide peace of mind to our members about their health-care coverage. We provide health care coverage and related services to more than 1.3 million people. Premera Blue Cross has operated in Washington since 1933 and Alaska since 1952. Premera Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Premera Blue Cross is a member of a family of companies headquartered in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, that provide health, life, vision, dental, and long-term care insurance, and other related services. In the J. D. Power and Associates 2007 National Health Insurance Plan Satisfaction Study(SM), Premera Blue Cross achieved the "highest member satisfaction with commercial health plans" (regional and national companies) serving the western U.S. 2007 is the inaugural year for this study.