WMC: WMC, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin Offer Custom Health Insurance Package

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
James S. Haney, WMC, (608) 258-3400
Mike Shoys, WMC, (608) 258-3400
Jill Becher, BCBSWi, (414) 226-5413

MADISON-Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and Blue Cross Blue
Shield of Wisconsin (BCBSWi) announced today that BCBSWi will serve
as WMC’s new sponsored insurer for group health insurance coverage.

WMC will unveil its partnership with BCBSWi at Business Day in
Madison on February 22 where employee benefits professionals will be
in attendance.

“We are pleased to enter into this partnership with Blue Cross Blue
Shield of Wisconsin,” said James S. Haney, president of Wisconsin
Manufacturers & Commerce. “The program offers comprehensive plan
benefits with a broad range of options that will help WMC members,
with 2-150 employees, to control health care costs, and will meet
the changing needs of WMC member companies.”

The BCBSWi health benefits package will be introduced to WMC members
in the 1st quarter of 2006. Companies that use the program will
also receive the value of WMC membership. WMC is the state’s
largest business lobbying organization representing more than 4,000
businesses across the state.

WMC conducted an extensive search and comprehensive review of
competing insurers to provide unique health insurance plans at
affordable rates. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin was selected
based on its ability to deliver unique, progressive health benefits
packages, including health savings account (HSA) compatible plans.

“We are excited to partner with WMC to offer customized employee
benefits solutions that help Wisconsin businesses and their
employees manage their health care costs, while still providing them
with the choice, flexibility, and superior service they desire,”
said Stuart K. Campbell, president of BCBSWi. “The WMC exclusive
benefit plan offers benefit options that had only been available to
large employers in the past. In addition, the WMC plan will offer
small group flexibility features to mid-size employers.”

As part of BCBSWi, WMC members will benefit from competitively
priced access to broad provider networks, a variety of value-added
services including disease management programs, and a
direct-to-member communication program that helps improve care and
reduces costs.

WMC members who purchase the insurance will also enjoy consumer
discounts through BCBSWi’s LifestyleBlueSM Health and Wellness
program and 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week access to an array of member
and employer information at www.bluecrosswisconsin.com

WMC has provided its members with competitive employee benefits
plans since 1957. “WMC has continued to evolve its insurance
solutions to reach the broadest segments of our membership and to
help members maximize the use of their benefits dollars,” Haney
said. “Through this partnership with BCBSWi, we believe we will
deliver an efficient and effective health insurance option to WMC
member companies.”

About Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce is a statewide, non-profit
business association representing Wisconsin business. WMC represents
nearly 4,000 members that include both large and small
manufacturers, service companies, local chambers of commerce and
specialized trade associations. Promoting a healthy business climate
since 1911, it is a merger of the Wisconsin Manufacturers
Association, the State Chamber of Commerce and the Wisconsin Council
of Safety. Additional information about WMC is available at
www.wmc.org.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin is one of the state’s largest
health insurers and is a subsidiary of WellPoint, Inc. WellPoint,
Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross BlueShield
Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee for
California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado,
Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding
30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New
York (as Blue Cross Blue Shield in 10 New York City metropolitan
counties and as Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield in selected
upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern
Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), Wisconsin; and through
UniCare. Additional information about WellPoint is available at
www.wellpoint.com.