CHICAGO (October 28, 2009) – Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), a non-investor owned company operating Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans in Illinois, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas, and WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP) and its UniCare subsidiaries, announced today that they have reached an agreement to ensure UniCare members have no loss of health insurance coverage as UniCare exits the Illinois and Texas commercial health insurance markets. Under the agreement, HCSC's Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans will offer replacement coverage that, in most cases, provides similar benefits and rates. Where applicable, replacement coverage for dental, vision, life and disability benefits will also be offered.

The agreement includes UniCare's endorsement of HCSC's Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans as the insurer of choice for their group and individual policyholders and is subject to certain regulatory approvals.

"We believe that HCSC, through its Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans in Illinois and Texas, is best positioned to offer quality products, a high level of benefits and the superior customer service that our customers have come to expect," said Dennis Casey, President of UniCare. "In addition, like UniCare, HCSC has has statewide plans in Illinois and Texas that include among the largest network of physicians and hospitals in the state. We are committed to ensuring that our members have a smooth transition to their new insurance carrier."

"We know these groups and individuals have a choice to accept our offer," said Pat Hemingway Hall, CEO of HCSC. "Our goal is to make the transition as seamless as possible for UniCare policyholders. We want to earn and keep their business."

About Health Care Service Corporation
Health Care Service Corporation is the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall, with 12.4 million members in its Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. A Mutual Legal Reserve Company, HCSC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. HCSC has a rating of AA- (Very Strong) from Standard and Poor's, Aa3 (Excellent) from Moody's and A+ (Superior) from A.M. Best Company. For more information, visit www.HCSC.com.

About UniCare:
UniCare products and services are offered in Illinois and Indiana by UniCare Health Insurance Company of the Midwest, Inc., in Texas by UniCare Health Insurance Company of Texas and in all 50 states and the District of Columbia by UniCare Life & Health Insurance Company. UniCare Life & Health Insurance Company, an Indiana corporation, UniCare Health Insurance Company of Texas, a Texas corporation, UniCare Health Plans of the Midwest, Inc., an Illinois corporation and UniCare Health Insurance Company of the Midwest, Inc., an Illinois corporation, are separately formed and capitalized subsidiaries of WellPoint, Inc., an Indiana corporation. For self-funded plans UniCare acts as a claim processor and does not insure benefits under the plan.

Media Contacts:
HCSC: Ross Blackstone (972-766-1735, Ross_Blackstone@HCSC.net)
UniCare: Tony Felts (317-287-6036, tony.felts@wellpoint.com)

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