As health care continues to move toward greater consistency and clarity,
and direct relationships with consumers, WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP)
announced plans to change its corporate name to Anthem, Inc. The change
will enable the Company to create better alignment between its corporate
and product brands and better reflect its purpose and strategy to help
transform health care.
“As consumer engagement is heightened, we recognize that brand—an
indicator of trust and a predictor of willingness to engage—is going to
be of increasing importance,” said Joseph Swedish, president and CEO of
WellPoint. “We believe it is important to call ourselves by the name
that people know best—Anthem. Changing the corporate brand to Anthem is
an important expression of our commitment to serve as a trusted partner
in health. Millions of people experience this promise every day through
the work our family of companies do to provide information and tools to
empower individuals to better understand and manage their health. Trust
is central to who we are and what we stand for as a company.”
The change will also enable the Company to streamline the communication
of its values and the impact its family of companies are making on its
members, associates, and investors.
“Brand is a significant driver of consumer purchasing decisions across
our businesses. As we move closer to a consumer-centric marketplace, we
believe Anthem is the best brand to lead our company forward to becoming
a more consumer capable company,” said Swedish.
Pending approval from shareholders, the change is expected to take place
by the end of 2014. A special shareholder meeting will be held on
Wednesday, November 5, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana for shareholders of
record on September 12, 2014.
About WellPoint, Inc.
WellPoint is working to transform health care with trusted and caring
solutions. Our health plan companies deliver quality products and
services that give their members access to the care they need. With
nearly 67 million people served by its affiliated companies, including
nearly 37 million enrolled in its family of health plans, WellPoint is
one of nation’s leading health benefits companies. WellPoint companies
serve members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; and as the Blue
Cross and Blue Shield licensees for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia,
Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas
City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as the Blue Cross Blue
Shield licensee in 10 New York City metropolitan and surrounding
counties and as the Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield licensee in
selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern
Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), and Wisconsin. In most of these
service areas, WellPoint does business as Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue
Cross and Blue Shield, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia and Empire
Blue Cross Blue Shield, or Empire Blue Cross (in the New York service
areas). It also serves customers in other states through its Amerigroup,
CareMore and UniCare subsidiaries. To find out more about WellPoint, go
to wellpoint.com.
Copyright Business Wire 2014