HCSC Named as One of the Best Places to Work in Information Technology

IDG’s Computerworld has selected Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, as one of the top workplaces in the country for information technology (IT) professionals. The honor is part of the IT publication's 16th annual "Best Places to Work in IT" survey, published in the June 15 issue of Computerworld. HCSC also operates the Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Illinois, New Mexico, and Texas.

"This year's award carries a great deal of significance because IT is now such a critical part of achieving health care reform and controlling health care costs," says Brian Hedberg, HCSC's chief information officer. "From developing standard-setting IT infrastructure to creating customized solutions for member interaction with their health plans, HCSC's IT teams are integral to the success of our company."

Computerworld surveyed more than 27,000 IT workers to help determine the 2009 rankings. In addition, each applying company completed a comprehensive questionnaire regarding benefits, diversity, career development, training and retention.

"To be among the "Best Places to Work in IT," it's not enough to seek out and hire the most talented IT people, offer them competitive pay and provide great benefits," said Scot Finnie, editor-in-chief of Computerworld. "The organizations that made this year's "Best Places to Work" list sustain a dynamic work environment in which IT professionals keep their hands on the latest technologies and work on projects that are business critical. In the months and years ahead, IT is going to become a key accelerator of business growth."

Computerworld’s award-winning Web site (Computerworld.com), weekly publication, and focused conference series form the hub of the world’s largest global IT media network. In the past five years alone, Computerworld has won more than 100 awards including the Magazine of the Year Award from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) in both 2004 and 2006, and the American Business Media’s Neal Award for Best Web Site, Best Blogs and Best Article or Series in 2008. Computerworld leads the industry with an online audience of over 2.5 million unique monthly visitors and a print audience of more than 1 million readers each week (IntelliQuest CIMS, Fall 2008). Computerworld also reaches over 10,000 IT executives every year through its high-touch conferences and custom summits.

International Data Group (IDG) is the world's leading technology media, events, and research company. IDG’s online network includes more than 450 web sites spanning business technology, consumer technology, digital entertainment and video games worldwide. IDG also publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers. Media brands are in more than 90 countries and include CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld/TechWorld/TecChannel, Macworld, Network World and PC World. The company’s lead-generation service, IDG Connect, matches technology companies with an audience of engaged, high-quality IT professionals, influencers, and decision makers.

IDG is a leading producer of more than 750 technology-related events including Macworld Conference & Expo, OpenSource World, E3, DEMO, Storage Networking World, and IDC Directions. IDC, a subsidiary of IDG, is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services and events. Over 1,000 IDC analysts in more than 100 countries provide global, regional and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends.

Additional information about IDG, a privately held company, is available at http://www.idg.com .

Note: All product and company names are trademarks of their respective organizations.

Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, is the largest customer-owned health insurer in the United States and the fourth largest health insurer in the country overall, with 12.4 million members in its Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. The company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. HCSC also 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 http://www.hcsc.com.

Media Contact: Ross Blackstone, HCSC (972-766-1735, Ross_Blackstone@HCSC.net )

For more information, please log onto http://www.hcsc.com.