In this Issue:

A New Life-Saving Technique General Electric Chooses Blue Cross System Annual Sales Awards Presented [P®V��rn Why Hospital Costs Continue to Rise of BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD of FLORIDA July, 1975

're having dinner with a friend or family member. hips, facing him. With one of your hands over the nly, a piece of food lodges in his throat. He is other, place the heel of your bottom hand on the abdo­ g and cannot breathe or speak. He turns blue men slightly above the navel and below the rib cage. ,!lapses. What do you do? Press forcefully into the victim's abdomen with a quick n nothing is done - and the victim dies of upward thrust. Repeat if necessary. Jlation in four minutes. But prompt action using In both methods, Heimlich explains, pressure forces ,le technique developed by Dr. Henry Heimlich, the diaphragm upward, compressing the trapped air r of surgery at Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati, in the lungs, expelling the blocking food particle from ve a person's life in a situation like this. the breathing passage. is not possible to reach to the back of the The description of the so-called "Heimlich Maneu­ and extract the food with your fingers, the Heim­ ver" was first published about nine months ago. Since ethod should be used. then, over 100 verified cases of children and adults e victim is standing or sitting, stand behind him, saved by the procedure have been reported. Some of our arms around his waist and allow his head, the reports show that a person alone may apply the ind upper torso to hang forward. Grasp your fist method using his own fist or the back of a chair to :>ur other hand and place the fist against the expel the choking food particle. s abdomen, slightly above the navel and below Food strangulation kills about 4,000 people each cage. Press your fist forcefully into the victim's year in the U.S. and 80,000 throughout the world. The en with a quick upward thrust. Repeat if nec­ "Heimlich Maneuver" can cut those statistics dramat­ f. ically. It may even save your life or the life of some­ re victim is lying on his back, kneel astride his one you know. Lillian Borowicz, Medicare Analyst in our Fort We Get Letters continued dale branch office, received the following com tary remarks: "I went on my social security last * * ,:c tic tic and really had a problem getting proper ·info, The following complimentary letters were received from anybody. I had a trip up to Chicago and [P[P®O��rn concerning Lillian Borowicz of Ft. Lauderdale: "Thank go to the hospital. When I came back I went · you very much for your assistance to me and my wife office and was sent to a Lillian Borowicz. I ha Vol. 8, No. 1 July, 1975 on our recent visit to your office. Your words of en­ employment most of my life dealing with the and I have never had the pleasure to be given Published monthly for the employees, couragement and kindness will remain in my memory tention and help she gave me. Hoping you car their families, and friends of for a long time. Keep up the good work and God bless you and yours and may you never know a moment of her for me.'' unhappiness." "I'm sure I am not alone in singing the praises of :'; t; :'; * * Lillian Borowicz. Every time I had occasion to call on her for help, she has been most understanding, kind and sympathetic. She is a rare person, and I thought Melissa Rowland, General Claims Analyst you might be interested to know how I feel about her. Sarasota branch office, received this letter: "I , ' It is a privilege to know her although I never met her ate all you have done for me and my husbar Blue Cross® Blue Shield®, personally." time you have given me and the understanding , of Florida of Florida much appreciated, and you have been the nice� ::! ::: ,:: ):: the persons I have had to deal with over the past 532 Riverside Avenue months. Many thanks!" Jerry Landgraf, Manager of the Blue Shield Claims Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Department, received the following letter from the Per­ sonnel Office of Southern Bell in Orlando concerning ,:c * ='t< * * Delores Davis in the Special Accounts Department: "I EDITOR wish to commend and thank one of your employees, Two complimentary letters were received frc Carole Utley Delores Davis, for her assistance to me in preparing an School Board of Sarasota County by our Represe extraordinary medical exp3nse insurance claim for one Kenneth Groh: "This letter is to express my appre REPORTERS of our employees. The claim was quite large and re­ for my coverage and your cooperation regarding SOUTH BUILDING 16 Marianne Nielsen About the cover ... quired much research and explanations on Mrs. Davis' for my son's surguries which total 14 due to 17 Cindy Hutchinson part. She was always courteous, even joking, and al­ defect. I was not required to contact the busines! 1 Sharon Warren 18 Jane Williams ways willing to obtain whatever information I required. at the hospital upon admittance or discharge. 1 Jett Folds 18 Rose Sluder We do so many claims here at Southern Bell, some of comforting to be able to check into and out of ti · 1 Pat Ross � :}HE GARDEN CLUB OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 18 Debbie Joseph which are very challenging! It makes our job easier pita! room and never receive a statement or q1 3 Bonnie Godbold 19 Eartha Little when we receive such cooperation. We appreciate Mrs. regarding payment of the bill. I am grateful 1 3 Sandy Armstrong IOOJ &IVEIII.SIDf AVENUE 20 Judy Schneider JACKSO:-,IVILLE. FLO�ID-\ Davis." security provided to employees of the School 4 Melissa Day under contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield. I 4 Martha Poplin J.W.H. !'.�8 � CHELSEA BUILDING also like you to know that the doctor's office exp 5 Mary Denney astonishment at the realization that my particular 6 Linda Smith Amy Jenney A former Ft. Lauderdale subscriber writes a letter of fully covered his entire fee. I just wanted to kec 7 Jan.et Allison ''"»y '5, l'l�" appreciation to Helen Carpenter of our Ft. Lauderdale posted on my claims and to thank you for your i1 7 Tommie Curry NORTH BUILDING branch office: "It is so unusual to get service today I and cooperation here at the local level." 8 Janet Heney 2 Janice Schoonover felt you deserve to be thanked personally for your "I would like to thank you and your secretary· 9 Reva Oliver prompt answer to my telephone question about the time and effort you recently spent regarding th i'o Tina Henault MAIN BUILDING !).-.�r 'V-. :12 ... ,,0:r-t: change in our Blue Cross and Blue Shield from Florida understandings with my son's and daughter's rr 10 Sandra Jackson 1 Carol Whiting l'he Ga!1<'n ciuh of Jacksonville ·.,0�11�t l!kc �o c('lr.g::n--l.!1.1t� �lu(' to New York. Service today is at a low, low ebb and one bills. I appreciate the fact that everything was 10 Helen Keene 2 JoAnne Whittemore Cross-Blt:t'! Sh�eld on t>-::- lrtr.rtsce;,c ;:!.u�t!.:.� �� yc:u:r o.e:.,- ,.�u!.1\!in6• is constantly frustrated by the lack of care, interest and care of by Blue Cross and Blue Shield in both 11 Robert Mobley 3 Robbie Leggett TL! -1isplay o! Ilt'l'T:-.:rocalli! (dayl1.lir6) on R!vcrs.idc tve11ue, is service one is entitled to as a human being. You prob­ :'I ::uago.t !ic,11nt ■ite. !11ny of .:,1.•r gar.Jen c!1:b 1-,a:.1�.s hevc coer.ent-ar t!t:it. T.a.ny oth"r firma will follow yc,ur lead. ple. Thank you so very much." 13 Sharon Kinnison 8 Roxanne Godwin �-t.n:crPl)" , Our Personnel Department received this lette1 14 Martha Hewlett 9 Ruby DuBose )!: )!; * ,:; ,:c mending Loraine Klein and Miriam Seyler, Claim 15 Sam Watson 10 Rochelle Dryden lysts in the Fort Lauderdale Branch: "I desire t Kenny Godbold . . Mail Operations Distribution This nice note was sent to Janet Davis of our St. a moment to extend my gratitude and appreciat Petersburg branch office along with a necklace as a Loraine Klein and Miriam Seyler for their past an JHH,jr/13.,. gift from two subscribers: "Please accept this small rent courtesy and kindness they have given to rr Member token of our deep appreciation for all your efforts. Not my husband. In this day and era it is almost impc Northeast Florida Business only did you help unravel all the red tape connected to find this kind of compassion and cooperatior Communicators with payments to the Cleveland Clinic, but you also people in the business world. Thus, I would like Southern Association of Business Communicators went the 'extra mile' to donate blood toward his credit. form you of this. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Inst Nothing we can do or say can ever tell you of our deep should be proud to have Loraine and Miriam a: We are an Equal Opportunity Employer gratitude." of their organization. Again. our thanks."

8Blue Cross Association nineteen/'' ®National Association of Blue Shield Plans mind, for I was really unable to understand my situa­ tion. I thought you would be pleased to know about such an efficient employee."

* We Get Mr. Herbert also received this letter from a Miami subscriber concerning Helen Smith in our Coral Gables office: "On several occasions recently it was necessary to visit your Blue Cross and Blue Shield office in Coral Lettets Gables for information and assistance relating to my policy. I was referred to Helen Smith, Federal Claims Representative, and was very much impressed with her courteous, considerate and efficient manner in explain­ ing and assisting me with my problems relating to out­ standing medical bills. With employees such as Mrs. Smith, it is difficult to understand recent news releases lowing letter was sent to James Tuck, Assis- critizing the Blue Cross and Blue Shield in the handling 1ger of Major Medical, complimenting one of of federal claims." yees, Darlene Brown: Nriting this letter regarding one of your em­ * )arlene Brown, I called her regarding some ncies in our Major Medical claims. She was Nikurka Arostiquez, Coral Gables office, received Mr. Stansell, standing, and eous and helpful and was able to clarify some this letter of praise: "It is always a delight to talk to Mr. Hopper, at his left, con­ you. You seem to have all the correct answers to my ducted an NHI meeting in ,blems concerning our claim. However, since Jacksonville in May for Mar­ ng long distance and she didn't want to keep questions. Some day I hope I shall have the opportunity keting, Hospital Relations, g, she suggested she call me back with the to thank you in person for being so very pleasant and and Physician Relations per­ Nell, I really didn't expect her to return my helpful at all times. You really are a gem. I wish there sonnel. hers have said the same things before and were more people like you around." ied them out. But much to my surprise she ir having found the indiscrepancies. tr :;: :!( you to know how much we appreciate the The following letter compliments Rita Alvarez, Coral trouble Darlene went to for us. In this day Gables: "I must admit I had a voluminous amount of ,hen so many people promise and do noth· Medicare B problems to keep Rita Alvarez busy for ap­ ce to know that there are some conscientious proximately an hour. She not only exhibited unusual Florida Blue Cross and Blue Shield j we think Darlene is one of them." ability, but her attitude was so sympathetic to my frus­ tration that I was forced to admit openly to her that she had set me at ease with complete know-how of her job. If this lovely lady clears up my problems with Medi­ Conduct Informal Meeting on NHI arshall, Supervisor of Medicare A Billing, re­ care I shall be eternally grateful to Blue Cross and Blue ; complimentary letter: "You are a great as- Shield and her forever after." 1r company and I wish to thank you most or your very fine and thorough explanation * :ter to me. I appreciated it very much. retired on a fixed income depreciating every Evelyn Yaniz in our Coral Gables office received s because of help from people like you that this complimentary letter: "Thank you for being so ome hope - not charity. sweet and patient. You surely are an asset to the de­ Many would agree that National Health In­ For Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans to be ; again and may the gooj Lord bless you and partment you work for." surance is already a very complex subject and able to respond effectively to the challenge of becoming more difficult to understand each NHI, it is important that we here in Florida do

·,� day. the very best job that we can with our own sub­ Our National Organizations, the Blue Cross scribers. We are taking steps to prepare our Maria Broderick of the Coral Gables office was com­ own Plans for an important role in NHI. Our sident, Mr. Herbert, received this letter con­ plimented in this letter: "A few days ago I called your Association and the National Association of Blue �anor Turner of the West Palm Beach office: office regarding insurance information. After several Shield Plans, have recognized the need for more Field personnel have been attending informa­ ng time out to express my appreciation for calls, I was finally able to get the right department and information and have established a special Com­ tional meetings on NHI conducted by W. J. tful and interesting service I received at the spoke to Maria Broderick who was very well informed Stansell, Senior Vice President, and J. W. Hop­ Beach office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield. munications Division to concentrate on NHI. and most courteous. I am sure you will be happy to Last year officials of BCA and NABSP appeared per, Executive Assistant for Programs. The rner, who is in charge of the front desk, was know that she spoke very highly of your company." : person I have ever seen. She not only took before several Congressional Committees and meetings are informal and include a discussion � people waiting but also answered innum­ � � also worked with government leaders through­ of the major issues involved in NHI, some of the phone calls at the same time. How anyone out the country. They intend to expand their major proposals being considered, the legisla­ ;o patient and pleasant in such a situation A Miami subscriber writes to thank Bertha Hester ny attention. Therefore, I felt you should of our Coral Gables office: "I want to thank you for communications program to include employees, tive process for a bill to become law, and what it such a capable person. She solved my your kindness and patience. You're a dear and an as­ customers, prospects, providers, and the gen­ the Nationals and Florida are doing to prepare uickly and has certainly given me peace of set to Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Coral Gables." eral public. for NHI should a bill pass the Congress.

eighteen/ � WhyHospital Costs Continue To R•

Evelyn displays her gift package showing a drawing of a color television set she received from the company plus her vaca­ tion and retirement checks. Posing with her are, from left, Tom Stallworth, Barbara Lanier, Joe Stansell, Mr. Herbert, Jim Gibbons and Betty Collins. Hospital costs are rising. While hospitals are distinct from business and industry, they are affected by economic trends. Like consumers, they pay more for food, drugs and supplies - also for equipment and machinery that's vital Evelyn Evans Retires on June5 to hospital operation, but costly. And, of course, wages and salaries are up for personnel who staff the hospitals. Evelyn Evans sat in President Herbert's office on presents on her desk her last day at work. She will be June 5 reminiscing about her first day on the job, June sorely missed by her friends, many who worked with 15, 1946. She was then in the old Roberts Building, her quite a few of those 29 years. As a rule, hospitals need people with more downtown Jacksonville and was one of our first em­ She will be living near her family in Sparks, Georgia, technical skills than industry does. Two-thirds ployees,. Blue Cross of Florida was only two years old about 30 miles north of Valdosta. and Blue Shield of Florida was only a few months old. of a hospital's operating costs go for wages On the day of her retirement, this charming lady was and salaries of personnel, as compared with surrounded by several of her close friends - Mr. Her­ about one third of industry's operating costs bert, Joe Stansell, Tom Stallworth, Jim Gibbons, Betty for wages and salaries. Collins, and Barbara Lanier - as they talked of the days when she took care of all the billing by hand us­ ing small index cards on her desk which she kept filed in a I ittle box. Because hospitals cannot absorb employee How times have changed! Now Evelyn, the No. 1 salary increases as industry does through in­ employee with the most years of service with the Flor­ creased production, they must reflect high pay­ ida Plans, heads the list of over 3,700 other Plan roll costs in higher charges for room and ancil­ workers. lary services. Hospital "sell" service, and this At Evelyn's request, just a simple retirement cere­ C, C, C, C, C, C, □ , C,.... C, C, C, C, vll.l'>ltQ /r-/o:,/c,.-...- , ..... ,NIM...-or- Iv� mony was held in Mr. Herbert's office when he pre­ person-to-person relationship is expensive. tQ tQ tQ tQ tQ tQ ,_ ,-... ,_,_,-... sented her with her vacation and retirement checks. She also opened a gift wrapped drawing of her choice Too, hospitals operate with fully trained per­ of a gift from the company - a portable color televi­ sonnel (about 2½ per patient) 24 hours a day, This chart shows the increase in the last l sion set. seven days a week. A large hospital often has of the average cost per case in Florida hospit After work on June 5, the company treated Evelyn average length of stay in a Florida hospital i and all those in her department, including her Director more than 200 different job classifications to was 6.01 days. This is down from 1973 when t Jim Gibbons and her Manager Betty Collins, to a dinner provide the personalized care necessary for age length of stay was 6.3 days. at the Green Derby since Evelyn did not want a recep­ each patient. tion in her honor. The department presented her with a diamond and pearl pin. A souvenir "memory book" with pictures of her retirement day and party was made up and sent to Evelyn later on. Evelyn was Supervisor of the Information Department when she retired. Evelyn's Manager, Betty Collins, and her Director, Jim Gib­ It was plain to see that Evelyn had endeared herself bons, are pictured with her on June 5, the day she retired after to her fellow workers as evidenced by the array of 29 years of service.

four1mR.illllil seventeen/ ,rH·Hrnr, THREE ADDED TO EEO-EMPLOYEE Blue Shield in 1974: Be Aware RELATIONS STAFF Enrollment, Claims )f Eugene O'Brien, Vice President of Human Resources, Your Newshound has announced the addition of three employees to the PaymentsReach EEO-Employee Relations Staff. Tina Henault, PROFILE Re­ Record Highs porter on 10 South, is the fourth Ruth Williams, who for the past five years has served such reporter to be spotlighted. the Plans as Corporate Nurse, will serve as a Counselor Blue Shield of Florida's enrollment and claims Tina is described most aptly as for complaints and grievances. Ruth is also acting as "Hedda Hopper No. 2!" payments reached all-time highs in 1974, as en­ the Office Supervisor for the Employee Relations area rollment climbed to 1,840,000 and claims paid Since she assumed the duties of the department. of reporting on 10 South nearly Chooses for physician services increased nearly 25 per­ a year ago she has given the em- cent. Blue Shield claims payments increased to $63,600,000 compared to $51,000,000 in 1973. � ,. , ployees in that area news with Vicki Stanley joins the staff as a full time employee Blue Cross Plans nault ·;na He "sunshine" in every one of her after employment as a CBE student. Vicki has been as­ Effective May 1, 1975, 300,000 General Elec­ signed to work with Sam Byrts, Affirmative Action Co­ The total volume of Blue Shield claims paid in y floor Newsletters. Tina works solely on the tric Company employees plus dependents were y Newsletter herself; Helen Keene and Sandra ordinator, on the Affirmative Action Plan. Vicki comes 1974 climbed to 1,950,000 which represented an n are primarily responsible for news for PROFILE to the department from H. R.I.C. covered by the Blue Cross System nationally. GE increase of 482,000 claims over the previous year. 1onth for 10 South; Rochelle Dryden handles the is the fifth largest employer in the nation, Gross Income from fees in 1974 amounted to ap­ for 10 Main. Gwen Thomas making it possible for Blue Cross Plans to cover was hired in 1973 in Medicare B. She was pro­ comes from the Northern Regional proximately $73, 120,000, an increase of 18 per­ Office where she was employed as secretary to Art nine of 10 of the largest employers listed by cent over 1973. in July, 1974 to Secretary to Flake Hewett, Di­ "Fortune" magazine. of Medicare A. Lentz, Northern Regional Manager. Gwen acts as the hails from Baltimore, Maryland but has made legal recorder for the department. Additional Blue Shield of Florida financial statistics nville her home since coming here in 1963. She As a National Account, with Massachusetts for 1974, reported at the annual Blue Shield meet­ aduate of Terry Parker High School where she Jesse Grover, Director of the EEO-Employee Relations Blue Cross Plan as control, GE enrollment af­ ing, included: :tively involved in drama. She served as Vice Department, adds the original staffing of his depart­ ment included Anita DeBose, Frankie Hawkins, and fects 72 of 74 U.S. Blue Cross Plans. Blue Cross mt of the women's winter bowling league and and Blue Shield of Florida will provide hospital BLUE SHIELD antly participating in the summer mixed bowling Mary Smith. coverage for approximately 5,000 employees and is taking golf lessons. These three activities $764,000 operating loss, compared with a gain onsored by our Employees Club which counts and their dependents. of $3,370,000 in 1973. Iong its more avid supporters. She also serves 1fety Captain for the tenth floor South. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for the $9,300,000 in reserve at the end of 1974 for un­ reported claims. enjoys ceramics, several of which she has made -Weddings $' present will maintain the surgical-medical and ow employees and friends. She is active behind major medical coverages for GE. $18, 275,000 total reserves held against contin­ ines in "Players By The Sea, " a theatre group Mary Ann Long was married on May 17 to Duane gencies. 1sonville Beach. She is a softball fan and also Truman in the Oak Crest United Methodist Church. A reception was held in the home of the bride's mother. The GE enrollment is considered the Sys­ $10,485,000 as the market value of investments >ates in the sport. For relaxation, when she finds in bonds. ;he "enjoys good music, good food and good Mary Ann and Duane spent their honeymoon in St. tem's greatest success story since the Federal ,y." She has made a habit of leaving her News­ Augustine and Marineland. She has been an employee Employee Program. GE's decision to go with $1, 126,000 as market value of stock. ·eaders with a happy thought or quotation. To since September, 1974 and is a Transcriber in the Word Processing Department. the Blue Cross Plans was based upon an estab­ illustrate her zest for living as well as her op­ GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS : philosophy, Tina was asked about one of her lished Blue Cross record in the delivery of health : quotations. In her inimitable, impish way, Tina * care and cost containment. MEDICARE PART B .augh and the world laughs with you, cry and ascara will run! " Claims Volume: 3,720,000, an increase of 10.8 Pam Patterson became the bride of Frank Newsom percent. on July 12 at the Lake Shore Chapel Assembly. A recep­ The truth is ... tion followed at Forty ET Eight Hall. The couple honey­ Payments: $194,400,000, an increase of 24.1 :! you showing the proper beneficiary on your mooned in Orlando at Disney World. Pauline Roark, "There are certain truths which are true no percent. ,any group life insurance policy? Failure to Frank's sister, was matron of honor and works in the matter how much the world may question or deny Assignment Ratio: 39.2 percent. nate a beneficiary or failure to keep your ben­ Word Processing Department. Pam came to work here them. In the economic realm, for instance, you cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislat­ Work on Hand (Expressed in Weeks as of Dec., ry designation current can cause serious prob­ in July, 1973 and is a Redactron Operator in the Word 1974): 5.0. in settling an estate and intended beneficiaries Processing Department. ing the wealthy out of it. You cannot multiply >e left out completely. wealth by dividing it. Governments cannot give to people what they do not first take away from CHAMPUS eek with Barbara Lanier (6408) or Marie Smith �' people. And that which one man receives without Claims Volume: 190,000. �) in the Compensation Department to be sure working for, another man must work for without your present beneficiary designations are as Marilyn Barrington was married on July 12 to Robert receiving it. And nothing can kill the initiative Payments for Medical Care: $16,365,000. vant them. J. Bias in the Church of God in Christ with a reception of a people quicker than for half to get the idea e same applies to the Blue Cross and Blue following at the church. The couple honeymooned in they need not work because the other half will TITLE XIX (MEDICAID) Atlanta which included a visit to Six Flags Over Georgia. feed them, and for the other half to get the idea :J Employees Credit Union. Check with Frances Claims Volume: 231,000. 1rt (6167) to determine that you have the cor­ Marilyn has been an employee here for three years and it does no good to work since someone else re­ >eneficiary listed on your Credit Union records. is a Redactron Operator in the Word Processing De­ ceives the rewards." Payments: $3,425,000. partment.

sixteen/ JoANN COOK PROMOTED TO MAJOR MEDICAL SUPERVISOR Jack Egan WinsAw ard The promotion of JoAnn Cook Employees ClubNe ws to Supervisor of the newly creat­ For Cartoon Journali! ed Maior Medical Claims Exam­ Physician Relations Re ining Department was announced tative Jack Egan recently by Jim Tuck, Assistant Manager first place award for bes Jim Gray, Employees Club Director, has reported 2. Mixed Bowling League of Blue Shield Claims, effective paper editorial cartoons the following events which have recently taken place, May 19. This is the first time the Club has sponsored Florida Press Associa are presently happening, and those which are planned JoAnn has worked here since a men's and women's bowling league for sev­ Spring Convention. in the near future: 1968 in the Major Medical De- eral years. There are 24 teams, four members Jack, whose work app JoAnn Cook partment in many capacities, the to a team, and they bowl at Ramona Lanes "The Islander", Anna Mar SOFTBALL latter being a Section Leader for two years. every Thursday Night until September. Victor ida won the award with Hebert is president of the league. JoAnn is a native of Brewton, Alabama. Before grad­ Jack Egan 1. Men's Industrial Softball League. uating from Paxon Senior High School, she came to ways witty and sometime The Club has entered two teams in· the City work here as a part time DCT student and continued tic cartoon series about an oily bird named Sli TRAVEL TOURS the second year in a row, Jack's ability with a � Industrial Leagues. her career here for seven years, earning her the new won recognition for him and "The Islander." 2. Men's Intramural Softball League. The Club coordinated three travel tours this supervisory position. year through AITS, the group which handled She enjoys bowling and reading in her leisure time. Jack works for George Lewis, Vice Presiden· The Club has sponsored six teams to play the Hawaii trip last year. There were eleven cian Affairs. and is located in the Sarasota Off every Wednesday after work at Willowbranch employees who took the Caribbean cruise from Park. Outstanding teams at this writing are April 26 to May 3. This included a plane trip Medicare 8, the Misfits and the Scrubs. The to Miami and back. The group cruised on the intramural season will run until the middle of TSS Mardi Gras. They stopped in San Juan, SLICK by Eg August. St. Thomas, and Nassau. There were 19 em­ SectimzLearkr Promo tions 3. Women's Intramural Softball League. ployees who signed up for the Swiss-Bavarian The Club sponsors four teams to play every trip from June 19 to June 28. This included Ernestine Bevel was promoted to Section Leader of a plane from Jacksonville to Munich, Germany, Prescription Drugs and State Group effective May 19, Tuesday after work at Utility Field. At this writ­ � ing, the Superstars team is undefeated. Their reporting to Supervisor Pat Hancock. She was hired season will run through August. as Claims Examiner on July 31, 1973. _s;-- She is a native of Jacksonville and graduated from Forrest High School. She is married to Thomas and has one daughter, Tonya. Her hobbies are cooking, � 1J volleyball, tennis, sewing, and she enjoys singing in her church choir.

�c

Lou Garrell was promoted to section Leader of Sub­ scribers Service Group and reports to Assistant Manager a train trip through Switzerland to Geneva, Vivian Bessent. She was hired as a Billing Clerk in Sub­ and optional side trips to Austria and France. scribers Service Group in April, 1973, and was promot€d A third trip to Hawaii is planned for July 25 to Special Accounts Clerk in November, 1973, a posi­ PE.L\CAN PE.RC\-\ to August 2, with approximately 20 people tion she held until this most recent promotion, effec­ signed up for this trip. BIRO HO�P\TAL. GOLF tive June 2. 'T M} I..ES Lou is a native of Stony Creek, Virginie! and is a 1. Golf League DISCOUNTS TO EMPLOYEES ii� /"--- -­ graduate of Central High School in Sussex County, 4.;� I .2-1::LJ --n The 60 employees who play in three divisions Virginia. She has a daughter, Tina, and her hobby is ·,,,,,,,,,uu1■01 have completed league play. Winners will be The Club coordinates discounts from various places which are too numerous to mention sewing. announced shortly. here. Of sign ificance, however, are some new discount offers which have become available. 2. Golf Lessons * �:-c A 20% discount offer is now available from ,:c - There were 55 employees who completed golf ���� Silver Springs and Weeki Wachee. Six Flags 1./\ -- 1 lessons from Floyd Smith at the driving range Over Georgia is offering a dollar discount on R. N . was promoted to Sec­ _ l�l Carolyn Wennerstrom, , on Fort Caroline Road. Lessons were one hour "You're covered, alright, but not by Blue Cross. " long for six weeks at a total cost of $12.00. the admission price. The Magic Kingdom Club tion Leader in the Medical Review Department effective cards now offer 10% discounts to the Howard March 17, reporting to Supervisor Terry Brady. She BOWLING Johnson Motor lodges. The motor lodge at the was hired as Medical Review Clerk on July 9, 1973. BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL - Slick, this oily blac main gate carries this discount a little further She is a native of St. Albans, Vermont, graduated created by Islander cartoonist Jack Egan, spear� 1. Women's Summer Bowling League by offering a flat rate throughout the year of from Bellows Free Academy there and is a graduate the paper's editorial campaign against Belch Ten teams, four girls each, are bowling at the $16.00 across the board. The Magic Kingdom of Mary Fletcher Hospital School of Nursing, Burl i ng­ Co. 's efforts to build a super tanker unloading pl; Classic Lanes every Monday night. The league Club card can also be used for a discount at ton, Vermont. She is married to Howard and has three off local beaches and a refinery at Port Manatee. lasts until September and its President is Bon­ Cypress Gardens. More details are available children, Carol, Gail and Brenda. Her hobbies are golf Slick cartoons received a first place award statew nie Godbold who also led the winter league. from Jim Gray. and swimming. Best Newspaper Cartoons. (Islander Art)

fifteen/ �f{[fil @ ,vomen Bo�vle1�s Complete ,vmte1� League

Jim Williams Tom Dunn

Bob Batie Williams, Batie, Dunn Promoted To Director Positions am R. Skelley, Vice President-Finance, has an­ He holds a degree in Business Administration with d the promotions of Jim Williams, Bob Batie, a major in Accounting from the University of Tennes­ m Dunn to Directors, effective May 1. see. He is a member of NAA, IIA, and serves on the was promoted from Manager to Director of Pur­ Board of Directors for Riverside-Avondale Preservation. t and Office Services. An employee with 24 years Tom received his certification in Internal Auditing pre­ INDIVIDUAL TROPHY WINNERS: From left, Elaine Weathers, FIRST PLACE: From left, Diane Joffre, Dianne Bethea, Yvonne Improved Bowler, 12 Bonnie Godbold, High Game, Daniels, Imogene Mullins. ice, Jim started out in Mail Operations and a sented on March 11. This is the first exam of its kind Most pins; 215; Marjorie Johnson, High Average, 158; Barbara Strode, ime later went to the Stock Room for a few to be given in the country for members of the Internal High Series Handicap, 638; Diane Joffre, High Game Handicap, i- He was then selected to actually set up our Audit profession. 241; Carol Blanton, High Series, 563. Barbara Strode received � Department, and in July, 1954 he was pro­ Tom was married on May 24 to Arey White and en­ a trophy for the Most Improved Bowler, also 12 pins. to Supervisor. Three years later Jim was again joys photography and gardening as his hobbies. ed, this time to Assistant Manager of Purchasing fice Services. He became Manager of this de­ nt in September, 1966, a position he held until JOHN KELLEY PROMOTED TO Eight teams finished their winter bowling competi­ made Director. REIMBURSEMENT AUDITOR tion with a banquet on Friday, May 30 at Sandy's Steer 1as attended the University of Oklahoma, Har­ Room. The league was sponsored by the Employees The promot ion of John Kelley to Reimbursement niversity, University of South Mississippi, and Club which provided shirts, paid for the sanction fees, Auditor was announced by Dudley Bumpass, Director, iversity of North Florida. He has been in the and the banquet. Team trophies and individual awards Provider Reimbursement Department, effective April National Guard for .25½ years, is currently in were purchased out of prize money contributed by the 21. nal Corps and holds the rank of Major. girls. John was employed here two years ago this month ; a member of the Mayor's Advisory Committee, The officers were: Bonnie Godbold, Presi­ and has served as a Claims Examiner, Credit Adjust­ 197 4-75 >gra m Advisory Committee for Purchasing cur­ dent; Tina Henault, Vice President; Diane Joffre, Sec­ ment Clerk, and an Accounting Clerk, his most recent l at Florida Junior College, and the National retary; Yvonne Daniels, Treasurer; and Pat Wilson, position. ltion of Fleet Administrators. Sergeant-at-Arms. John is a native of Jacksonville and a graduate of holds the distinctive honor of being the first SECOND PLACE: From left, Carol Blanton, Bonnie Godbold, Ribault Senior High School. He earned his Associate d Purchasing Manager in the Crown Chapter Delores Chester, Pat Wilson. �ational Association of Purchasing Management Degree in Accounting from Florida Junior College using me of only a few Floridans to receive this coveted the company's Tuition Refund Program . He is presently ional honor. working towards his Bachelor degree in Accounting at the University of North Florida. was promoted from Manager to Director of the Is Department. He began his career with the n January, 1967 in the Methods Department. BOB SHAMBLIN PROMOTED Is a B.S. degree in Business Administration from TO LEAD PROGRAMMER '.;allege in Berea, Kentucky, where he attended The promotion of Bob Shamblin to Lead Programmer, 3n insurance academic scholarship. effective April 7, has been announced by Phil Olsen, 1berships In organizations outside the company Assistant Manager of Medicare B Systems. 1cluded the Advisory Committee to Schools of Bob has worked with the Medicare B System since ice and Finance at Florida Junior College, Jack­ he was hired as a Programmer in April, 1973. Last Chapter of Administrative Management Society i October, he was promoted to Progra mmer-Analyst, his 3oard Member) and the Association for Systems most recent position. �ment. Bob is a native of Tampa and received his bachelor's was promoted from Manager to Director of In­ degree in mathematics from the University of South Florida. He and his wife, Donna, enjoy camping with Audit. He was hired in February, 1972 as a Small team trophies were also awarded to the last place Internal Auditor, was promoted to Assistant their two boys, Brooke, 9, and Keith, 3. Bob also plays team, from left Tessa Warnock, Janie Shepard, Elaine Weathers THIRD PLACE: From left, Jeanette Sutton, Marjorie Johnson, �r in July, 1973 and to Manager a year later. golf and has participated in company tournaments. and Ida Gaza/ah. Pat Kidd, Wilma Ketchel.

fourteen/' seven/ service• 20Years 5Years Bill Markey Blue Cross and Medicare A William I. Markey completed 20 years of service with the Plans Dorothy Rudeen Utilization Review Patricia M. Snow Finance Systems on June 21. He has worked as a Liliane Roy Coral Gables Representative in the St. Peters­ burg branch office since joining the Plans in 1955, with some temporary duty in the Tampa office. Bill reports to Branch Blue Shield and Medicare B Manager, Clarence Bolin. Doris A. Loudermill Med. 8. Correspondence Bill is a native of St. Peters­ burg and a graduate of local schools. He served four years in the Air Force during the Korean War and was stationed in Japan, Okinawa, and Guam as a B-29 bomber tail gunner. He and his wife, Joanne, have two daughters, Mau­ reen and Kathleen, and two cats. He is an active 32nd degree Mason and a Shri ner, and is a Past Senior lYear Counselor with United Commercial Travelers. His hobbies include building and shooting Colonial Blue Cross and Medicare A Pictured above are 12 of the employees taking golf fess ons from Floyd Smith. This particular class was snapp, Wednesday evening session on June55 11. style flint-lock rifles. He says "Building and shooting Carrie Carter Hospital Relations authentic old-style rifles is a great tranquilizer." He Normita T. Dimalanta Budget & Forecast is a life member of the National Rifle Association and Najwa Gazaleh Central Microfilm is a member of the National Muzzle-Loading Rifle As­ Thomas R. Gildea Orlando Ralph H. Gurganus Coral Gables sociation and the Alafia River Long Rifles. He is a club Jennifer D. Hart Data Recording representative for the Florida State Muzzle Loading Robert S. Haynes Printing Association. Henry L. Hines Data Recording Lonnie A. Holton Data Communications 55 "Duffers" Sign Up Edith J. Jones Data Processing Linda G. Overstreet Finance James A. Stokes EDP Systems Alphonso Webb Provider Reimbursement Por loll Le Linda G. Wheeler ss Lake City ons lOYears William S. Brockman Safety & Security Alice V. Sapp Safety & Security Peggy Kinzer Grisel Barreto Claims Frances M. Courtney Central Microfilm Peggy Kinzer is in the news Betty M. Hutchinson Blue Cross Claims When Jim Gray, Employees Club Director, announced this month because of two spe­ Susan E. Longobardi Computer Support golf lessons would be offered to all employees he never cial accomplishments. On May Manuel Matalobos FCIA dreamed as many as 55 would sign up. The Club co­ Betty J. Williams Subscribers Service 30 she was promoted from Spe­ Dorothy J. Williams Subscribers Service ordinated this project with the University Driving Range cial Assistant to Assistant Man­ John Winslow on Fort Caroline Road, and golf pro Floyd Smith sched­ V. Medical ager of Program Utilization in Marylou L. Brown Med. A Claims uled lessons for several evenings to accommodate this the Util ization Review Depart­ Domingo A. Mirones St. Petersburg large turnout. ment. Secondly, Peggy celebrated Mentoria E. Richo Med. A Approvals Charlie G. Koon Safety & Secu rity her tenth year with the Plans on Mary R. Alexander Subscribers Service Six lessons in all were offered at a cost of only $12 ..... July 6. Peggy A. Anderson Subscribers Service I) per person and golf clubs were furnished by the driving When Peggy was hired in 1955 she worked as a Nancy P. Andrews Blue Shield Claims File range. "Smitty" is also offering advanced lessons and Screener/Co der in the FEP Claims Department. She Nancy E. Copeland Subscribers Service Virginia J. Dukes Ft. Lauderdale is starting more classes on July 21. was in Medicare B Correspondence from early 1966 Grace B. Farmand Prod. & Qual ity Control until October, 1968. At that time she was promoted to Anita R. Hurley Subscri bers Service the Utilization Review Department and later moved up Benjamin A. Johnson', M.D. Medical Division On Sunday, June 8, Smitty took 40 of our "students" the ladder to a supervisory position . Mary D. Mawhinney Subscribers Service to Fort George to give many of them an opportunity She is a native of Fort Pierce, Florida and graduated Dorothy M. Rhodes Subscribers Service to show what they had learned on a regulation golf Judy A. McClain Subscribers Service course and reported several showed potential. from Robert E. Lee High School. She and her husband, Gathy J. Roberts Subscribers Service Paul, have a son, Michael, who is a year and a half old. Connie E. Redding BC Comp. Cov. Claims In addition to swimming and fishing in her spare time, Linda A. Steighner Financial Accounting Charles E. Eden Safety & Secu rity Smitty was amused that one of our employees, Jon­ Peggy especially enjoys bowling and joined the Wo­ nye Quick, who married Richard Towery, also an em­ men's Blue Cross and Blue Shield Summer Bowling Cherry E. Lamb Safety & Security Thomas C. Templeton Safety & Security ployee, on May 20, interrupted her honeymoon long League in June. "Smitty" instructs Myra Smith on the correct wrist • Deloris Hawkins Subscribers Service enough to show up for her golf lesson the next eveni ng! the back-swing.

eight/ thirteen/ mmirlliJ 460 Employees a-wards Queen E. Williams Medicare B And Guests Marjorie S. Broadwell Medicare Mail Room 1 Ye ar (continued ) Valerie W. Coltrain FEP Blue Shield Mari lyn J. Gaylor Data Recording Debra D. Helms Data Recording Bus It To Medicare B Jannie M. Mixson Safety & Security Geraldine Jackson Medicare B Mildred Y. Williams Med. A Service Sandra J. Ambrose Medicare B Linda M. Benoit Computer Support Jeanne A. Keller DisneyWo rld Joanne C. Simpkins Edit II Emma Freeman Maintenance L. Medicare B Cynthia K. Glover Lake City Virginia T. Portillo Data Record ing Karen M. Jorgensen Blue Cross Claims Barba ra A. Mccorvey FEP Basic Blue Shield Lolita S. Montemayor General Disbursements Diane Y. Faircloth Med. B Correspondence Sharon D. Nelson Safety & Security Tracey B. Williams FEP Blue Shield Elese O'Neill Tallahassee Barba ra D. Swink Rosemary Steed Major Med. & Ext. Benefits Majie M. Cason Utilization Review Janice Hansen Coral Gables Linda P. Heselton Subrogation lone D. Cook Financial Accounting Another Employees Club "caravan" bus trip to Disney World took place on Barbara M. Adams Coral Gables �� Faye M. Brand Safety & Security Saturday, May 31 when 460 employees and their guests left at 7:15 a.m. near Lisa A. Dan iel Major Med. & Ext. Benefits the office complex. Janet L. Davis St. Petersburg Robert D. Dinkins EDP Systems Martha W. Funkhouser Medical Review This was our largest contingent with 11 buses being reserved for the trip Ronald H. Hope Data Processing to Orlando. From all reports, everyone had a good time, especially since the rain Gwendolyn Jackson Mail Operations Alfreda Montgomery Word Processing waited until they were ready to come back to Jacksonville that evening. The buses John H. Oetjen Gainesville returned to our complex at 9:30 p.m. Lawrence 0. Patterson Safety & Security Arlene M. Shainbrown EDP Systems �'�� Ronnie L. Washington Finance Systems Jim Gray and the Employees Club Officers helped get people aboard, and the Barbara L. O'Berry Med. B Prod. & Quality Control =-� "" better, -'------Club paid one-half the cost of the buses - employees paid only $3. 75 for the "•'· trip, plus their tickets into the Magic Kingdom. 1L'le a "' I �� J '\ \ � Blue Shield and Medicare B � Cynthia M. Bell Microfilm MaryF. Berg BS Claims Vickie L. Deville Medicare B Debra M. Hackford Medicare B Debra A. Peeples CHAMPUS $204.00 Awarded To Joyce A. Riggs Data Recording Jeanne R. Shivers Edit II SuggestionWinners Anita T. Luciani CHAMPUS Otha M. Gibbs Med. B Retriever Lillian Hill, Blue Shield Complementary Coverage, Ines D. Bacolor Data Recording Anita B. Capps Data Recording has won the largest suggestion check of $56.00 award­ Linda S. Chernick BS National Accounts ed in May for her idea concerning the creation of a Rachel J. Fisher Med. B CRT preprinted work sheet for the Complementary Cover­ Nena R. Gelacio Data Recording age Clerks to use instead of writing on scratch paper. Wendelin F. Scantling FEP Basic Blue Shield Alice F. Smith Data Recording Sue Taylor, Blue Shield Data Entry, won $46 .00 for Beverly A. Thompson Prescription Drugs & Medicaid her suggestion to create a verification form for Blue Rebecca L. Watson Medicare B Shield Data Entry Clerks to use in place of small pieces Patricia B. Hanes FEP Basic Blue Shield of paper. Addie A. M irones Services 111 Trudie D. Rhodes Blue Shield Claims Georgeann Ma rti n, Blue Shield Prescription Drugs, Margie K. Ussery Data Recording was a $12.00 winner for her idea to replace a dictated Deborah L. Boyd Edit II letter not ifying pharmacies of the status of their claim·s. Barba ra G. Givens BS Comp. Coverage There were nine $10.00 winners: Marie Lisbinski, Mari lyn C. Hunt Med. B Files Brenda L. Sargent Edit II Blue Cross National Accounts; Patricia Sapp, Blue Ann G. Watson Medicare B Shield Administration; Forrestine Lewis, Blue Shield Lynne M. Wise Med. B Training Medicare B; Christina Hartnett, Blue Cross Word Pro­ Kathy Jeffords FEP Basic Blue Shield cessing; Goldie Siegel, Subscribers Service Screening Debra A. Stephens Data Recording and Processing; Betty Godgin, Major Medical; Rosa Rosa L. Wal ker Medicare B Sandra L. Williams Medicare B Green, Blue Cross Med ical Review; Donna Poe, Methods; Renee R. Carpenter Medicare B and Beverly Watson, Blue Shield Special Claims.

nine/ AIIUAL SILIS AWARDS

Director of Group Sales Joe McGurrin, left, presents a check to· Tom Brown, winner of "Largest Group" and Pictured following the presentation of our annual sales awards are, from left, Joe Stansell, Joe McGurrin, "Greatest Number of New Contracts" categories. President J. W. Herbert, right, hands a check to Pat Murphy, Pat Murphy, John Renner, Tom Brown, Jack Herbert and Tom Stallworth, Vice President of the Marketing Division. winner of the "Greatest Number of New Group Sa/es" category.

The prestigious Annual President's Club Sales Awards Category #2 - Largest Group for the year 1974-75 was the occasion for recognizing Tom Brown (Branch 2, Jacksonville) Sales Representatives for their distinguished sales rec­ ords. The awards acknowledged outstanding sales ef­ Category #3 - Greatest Number of New Con forts and are in keeping with the Marketing Division's Tom Brown (Branch 2, Jacksonville) goals in meeting corporate objectives. This sales year a new category for "Branch r The annual sales contest covers the period of April, of the Year" was created recognizing the Bran• 1974 through March, 1975. Since the inception of ager whose representatives sold the most new these awards in May, 1971, the requirements to qualify John Renner (Branch 2, Miami) was the winn have been raised each year. Through the office of the President, congrat Winners in the following categories for sales awards are extended to the win ners from all the Sales \__ this year are. sentatives who participated in the contest ar Senior Vice President W. J. Stansell, left, presents a Category # 1 - Greatest Number of New Group Sales check to John Renner who was named "Branch Manager all the employees of the Plans for these out� of the Year. " Pat Murphy (Branch 2, Miami) sales accomplishments.

ten I � eleven/ � AIIUAL SALIS AWARDS

ctor of Group Sales Joe McGurrin, left, presents a check to· Tom Brown, winner of "Largest Group" and Pictured following the presentation of our annual sales awards are, from left, Joe Stansell, Joe McGurrin, � Number of New Contracts" categories. President J. W. Herbert, right, hands a check to Pat Murphy, Pat Murphy, John Renner, Tom Brown, Jack Herbert and Tom Stallworth, Vice President of the Marketing Division. F the "Greatest Number of New Group Sa/es" C,3tegory.

The prestigious Annual President's Club Sales Awards Category #2 - Largest Group for the year 1974-75 was the occasion for recognizing Tom Brown (Branch 2, Jacksonville) Sales Representatives for their distinguished sales rec­ ords. The awards acknowledged outstanding sales ef­ Category #3 - Greatest Number of New Contracts forts and are in keeping with the Marketing Division 's Tom Brown (Branch 2, Jacksonville) goals in meeting corporate objectives. This sales year a new category for "Branch Manager The annual sales contest covers the period of April, of the Year" was created recognizing the Branch Man­ 1974 through March, 1975. Since the inception of ager whose representatives sold the most new groups. these awards in May, 1971, the requirements to qualify John Renner (Branch 2, Miami) was the win ner. have been raised each year. Through the office of the President, congratulations Winners in the following categories for sales awards are extended to the win ners from all the Sales Repre­ this year are. sentatives who participated in the contest and from Senior Vice President W. J. Stansell, left, presents a Category # 1 - Greatest Number of New Group Sales "'-- who all the employees of the Plans for these outstanding check to John Renner was named "Branch Manager of the Year." Pat Murphy (Branch 2, Miami) sales accomplishments.

eleven; •' 460 Employees a-wards Queen E. Williams Medicare B And Guests Marjorie S. Broadwell Medicare Mail Re 1 Ye ar (continued ) Valerie W. Coltrain FEP Blue Shield Marilyn J. Gaylor Data Recording Debra D. Helms Data Recording Bus It To Geraldine Jackson Medicare B Jannie M. Mixson Safety & Security Sandra J. Ambrose Medicare B Mildred Y. Williams Med. A Service Jeanne A. Keller Medicare B Linda M. Benoit Computer Support Disney Wo rld Joanne C. Simpkins Edit II Emma L. Freeman Maintenance Medicare B Cynthia K. Glover Lake City Virginia T. Portillo Data Recording • Karen M. Jorgensen Blue Cross Claims Barbara A. Mccorvey FEP Basic Blue S � Lolita S. Montemayor General Disbursements Diane Y. Faircloth Med. B Correspo1 Sharon D. Nelson Safety & Security Tracey 8. Williams Elese O'Neill Tallahassee Barbara D. Swink FEP Blue Shield Rosemary Steed Major Med. & Ext. Benefits Majie M. Cason Utilization Review Janice Hansen Coral Gables Linda P. Heselton Subrogation lone D. Cook Financial Accounting Another Employees Club "caravan" bus trip to Disney World took place on Barbara M. Adams Coral Gables �� Faye M. Brand Safety & Security Saturday, May 31 when 460 employees and their guests left at 7: 15 a.m. near Lisa A. Daniel Major Med. & Ext. Benefits the office complex. Janet L. Davis St. Petersburg Robert D. Dinkins EDP Systems MarthaW. Funkhouser Medical Review This was our largest contingent with 11 buses being reserved for the trip Ronald H. Hope Data Processing to Orlando. From all reports, everyone had a good time, especially since the rain Gwendolyn Jackson Mail Operations Alfreda Montgomery Word Processing waited until they were ready to come back to Jacksonville that evening. The buses John H. Oetjen Gainesville returned to our complex at 9:30 p.m. Lawrence 0. Patterson Safety & Security Arlene M. Shai nbrown EDP Systems �'c (ii\� Ronnie L. Washington Finance Systems Jim Gray and the Employees Club Officers helped get people aboard, and the Barbara L. O'Berry Med. B Prod. & Qual ity Control : Q�tte_r� Club paid one-half the cost of the buses - employees paid only $3.75 for the trip, plus their tickets into the Magic Kingdom. / 1nea " I \'�_J '\ \ � Blue Shield and Medicare B ,.-r Cynthia M. Bell Microfilm Mary F. Berg BS Claims Vickie L. Deville Medicare 8 Debra M. Hackford Med icare 8 $204.00 Awarded T Debra A. Peeples CHAM PUS Joyce A. Riggs Data Recording Jeanne R. Shivers Edit II Suggestion Winner Anita T. Lucian i CHAMPUS Otha M. Gibbs Med. B Retriever Ines D. Bacolor Data Recording Lillian Hill, Blue Shield Complementary C Anita B. Capps Data Recording has won the largest suggestion check of $56.0 Linda S. Chernick BS National Accounts ed in May for her idea concerning the creat Rachel J. Fisher Med. B CRT preprinted work sheet for the Complementar: Nena R. Gelacio Data Recording age Clerks to use instead of writing on scratc Wendelin F. Scantling FEP Basic Blue Shield Alice F. Smith Data Recording Sue Taylor, Blue Shield Data Entry, won $4 Beverly A. Thompson Prescription Drugs & Medicaid her suggestion to create a verification form Rebecca L. Watson Medicare B Shield Data Entry Clerks to use in place of sma Patricia B. Hanes FEP Basic Blue Shield Addie A. Mirones Services 111 pf paper. Trudie D. Rhodes Blue Shield Claims Georgeann Martin, Blue Shield Prescriptior Margit! K. Ussery Data Recording was a $12.00 winner for her idea to replace a Deborah L. Boyd Edit II letter notifying pharmacies of the status of their Barbara G. Givens BS Comp. Coverage Marilyn C. Hunt Med. B Files There were nine $10.00 winners: Marie L Brenda L. Sargent Edit II Blue Cross National Accounts; Patricia Sap Ann G. Watson Medicare B Shield Administration; Forrestine Lewis, Blue Lynne M. Wise Med. B Training Medicare B; Christina Hartnett, Blue Cross We Kathy Jeffords FEP Basic Blue Shield cessing; Goldie Siegel, Subscribers Service S< Debra A. Stephens Data Record ing Rosa L. Walker Medicare B and Processing; Betty Godgin, Major Medic2 Sandra L. Williams Med icare B Green, Blue Cross Medical Review; Donna Poe, I\ Renee R. Carpenter Medicare B and Beverly Watson, Blue Shield Special Clair

nine/ [Af@ffi] service• ears 5Years tlarkey Blue Cross and Medicare A William I. Markey completed 20 years of service with the Plans Dorothy Rudeen Utilization Review Patricia M. Snow Finance Systems on June 21. He has worked as a Liliane Roy Coral Gables Representative in the St. Peters­ burg branch office since joining the Plans in 1955, with some temporary duty in the Tampa office. Bill reports to Branch Blue Shield and Medicare B Manager, Clarence Bolin. Doris A. Loudermill Med. B. Correspondence Bill is a native of St. Peters­ d a graduate of local schools. He served four the Air Force during the Korean War and was j in Japan, Okinawa, and Guam as a B-29 tail gunner. 1d his wife, Joanne, have two daughters, Mau­ j Kathleen, and two cats. He is an active 32nd Mason and a Shri ner, and is a Past Senior lYear )r with United Commercial Travelers. obbies include building and shooting Colonial Blue Cross and Medicare A Pictured above are 12 of the 55 employees taking golf lessons from Floyd Smith. This particular class was snapped at the Wednesday evening session on June 11. it-lock rifles. He says "Building and shooting Carrie Carter Hospital Relations c old-style rifles is a great tranquilizer." He Normita T. Dimalanta Budget & Forecast member of the National Rifle Association and Najwa Gazaleh Central Microfilm 11ber of the National Muzzle-Loading Rifle As- Thomas R. Gildea Orlando Ralph H. Gurganus Coral Gables 1 and the Alafia River Long Rifles. He is a club Jenn ifer D. Hart Data Recording 1tative for the Florida State Muzzle Loading Robert S. Haynes Printing ion. Henry L. Hines Data Recording Lonnie A. Holton Data Communications 55 "Duffers" Sign Up Edith J. Jones Data Processing Linda G. Overstreet Finance James A. Stokes EDP Systems Alphonso Webb Provider Reimbursement For loll Less Linda G. Wheeler Lake City ons �ars William S. Brockman Safety & Security Alice V. Sapp Safety & Security y Kinzer Grisel Barreto Claims Frances M. Courtney Central Microfilm Peggy Kinzer is in the news Betty M. Hutchinson Blue Cross Claims When Jim Gray, Employees Club Director, announced this month because of two spe­ Susan E. Longobardi Computer Support golf lessons would be offered to all employees he never cial accomplishments. On May Manuel Matalobos FC IA dreamed as many as 55 would sign up. The Club co­ Betty J. Williams Subscribers Service 30 she was promoted from Spe­ Dorothy J. Williams Subscribers Service ordinated this project with the University Driving Range cial Assistant to Assistant Man­ John V. Winslow Medical on Fort Caroline Road, and golf pro Floyd Smith sched­ ager of Program Utilization in Marylou L. Brown Med. A Claims uled lessons for several evenings to accommodate this the Util ization Review Depart­ Domingo A. Mirones St. Petersburg 1\ large turnout. ment. Secondly, Peggy celebrated Mentoria E. Richo Med. A Approvals Charlie G. Koon Safety & Security her tenth year with the Plans on Mary R. Alexander Subscribers Service Six lessons in all were offered at a cost of only $12 .� "'l July 6. Peggy A. Anderson Subscribers Service per person and golf clubs were furnished by the driving Peggy was hired in 1955 she worked as a Nancy P. Andrews Blue Shield Claims File range. "Smitty" is also offering advanced lessons and /Coder in the FEP Claims Department. She Nancy E. Copeland Subscribers Service Virginia J. Dukes Ft. Lauderdale is starting more classes on July 21. lledicare B Correspondence from early 1966 Grace B. Fa rmand Prod. & Quality Control ober, 1968. At that time she was promoted to Anita R. Hurley Subscribers Service :ation Review Department and later moved up Benjamin A. Johnson', M.D. Medical Division . On Sunday, June 8, Smitty took 40 of our "students" ?r to a supervisory position. Mary D. Mawhinney Subscribers Service to Fort George to give many of them an opportun ity a native of Fort Pierce, Florida and graduated Dorothy M. Rhodes Subscribers Service to show what they had learned on a regulation golf Judy A. McClain Subscribers Service course and reported several showed potential. >ert E. Lee High School. She and her husband, Cathy J. Roberts Subscribers Service re a son, Michael, who is a year and a half old. Connie E. Redding BC Comp. Cov. Claims Linda A. Steighner Financial Accou nting >n to swimming and fishing in her spare time, Smitty was amused that one of our employees, Jon­ ;pecially enjoys bowling and joined the Wo­ Charles E. Eden Safety & Security nye Quick, who married Richard Towery, also an em­ lue Cross and Blue Shield Summer Bowling Cherry E. Lamb Safety & Security Thomas C. Tem pleton Safety & Security ployee, on May 20, interrupted her honeymoon long 1 June. "Smitty" instructs Myra Smith on the correct wrist action on Deloris Hawkins Subscribers Service enough to show up for her golf lesson the next evening! the back-swing.

eight/ thirteen/ • ' ,,omen Bo,vle1�s Complete ,vmte1i Leaglle II Jim Williams Tom Dunn

Bob Batie Williams, Batie, Dunn Promoted To Director Positions William R. Skelley, Vice President-Finance, has an­ He holds a degree in Business Administration with nounced the promotions of Jim Williams, Bob Batie, a major in Accounting from the University of Tennes­ and Tom Dunn to Directors, effective May 1. see. He is a member of NAA, IIA, and serves on the Jim was promoted from Manager to Director of Pur­ Board of Directors for Riverside-Avondale Preservation. chasing and Office Services. An employee with 24 years Tom received his certification in Internal Auditing pre­ INDIVIDUAL TROPHY WINNERS: From left, Elaine Weathers, FIRST PLACE: From left, Diane Joffre, Dianne Bethei Daniels, Imogene Mullins. of service, Jim started out in Mail Operations and a sented on March 11. This is the first exam of its kind Most Improved Bowler, 12 pins; Bonnie Godbold, High Game, 215; Marjorie Johnson, High Average, 158; Barbara Strode, short time later went to the Stock Room for a few to be given in the country for members of the Internal High Series Handicap, 638; Diane Joffre, High Game Handicap, months. He was then selected to actually set up our Audit profession. 241; Carol Blanton, High Series, 563. Barbara Strode received Printing Department, and in July, 1954 he was pro­ Tom was married on May 24 to Arey White and en­ a trophy for the Most Improved Bowler, also 12 pins. moted to Supervisor. Three years later Jim was again joys photography and gardening as his hobbies. promoted, this time to Assistant Manager of Purchasing and Office Services. He became Manager of this de­ partment in September, 1966, a position he held until JOHN KELLEY PROMOTED TO Eight teams finished their winter bowling competi­ he was made Director. REIMBURSEMENT AUDITOR tion with a banquet on Friday, May 30 at Sandy's Steer He has attended the University of Oklahoma, Har­ Room. The league was sponsored by the Employees The promotion of John Kelley to Reimbu rsement vard University, Univers ity of South Mississippi, and Club which provided shirts, paid for the sanction fees, Auditor was announced by Dudley Bumpass, Di rector, the University of North Florida. He has been in the and the banquet. Team trophies and individual awards Provider Reimbursement Department, effective April Florida National Guard for _25½ years, is currently in were purchased out of prize money contributed by the 21. the Signal Corps and holds the rank of Major. girls. He is a member of the Mayor's Advisory Committee, John was employed here two years ago this month The 1974-75 officers were: Bonnie Godbold, Presi­ and has served as a Claims Examiner, Credit Adjust­ the Program Advisory Comm ittee for Purchasing cur­ dent; Tina Henault, Vice President; Diane Joffre, Sec­ riculum at Florida Junior College, and the National ment Clerk, and an Accounting Clerk, his most recent position. retary; Yvonne Daniels, Treasurer; and Pat Wilson, Association of Fleet Administrators. Sergeant-at-Arms. Jim holds the distinctive honor of being the first John is a native of Jacksonville and a graduate of Ribault Senior High School. He earned his Associate SECOND PLACE: From left, Carol Blanton, Bonnie Certified Purchasing Manager in the Crown Chapter Delores Chester, Pat Wilson. of the National Association of Purchasing Management Degree in Accounting from Florida Junior College using and is one of only a few Floridans to receive this coveted the compa ny's Tuition Refund Program. He is presently professional honor. working towards his Bachelor degree in Accounting at the University of North Florida. Bob was promoted from Manager to Director of the Methods Department. He began his career with the Plans in January, 1967 in the Methods Department. BOB SHAMBLIN PROMOTED He holds a S.S. degree in Business Administration from TO LEAD PROGRAMMER Berea College in Berea, Kentucky, where he attended The promotion of Bob Shamblin to Lead Programmer, under an insurance academic scholarship. effective April 7, has been announced by Phil Olsen, Memberships In organizations outside the company Assistant Manager of Medicare B Systems. have included the Advisory Committee to Schools of Bob has worked with the Medicare B System since Insurance and Finance at Florida Junior College, Jack­ he was hired as a Programmer in April, 1973. Last sonville Chapter of Administrative Management Society October, he was promoted to Programmer-Analyst, his Board Member) and the Association for Systems (AMS most recent position. Management. Bob is a native of Tampa and received his bachelor's Tom was promoted from Manager to Director of In­ degree in mathematics from the Univers ity of South Florida. He and his wife, Donna, enjoy camping with ternal Audit. He was hired in February, 1972 as a Small team trophies were also awarded to the last place Senior Internal Auditor, was promoted to Assistant their two boys, Brooke, 9, and Keith, 3 . Bob also plays team, from left Tessa Warnock, Janie Shepard, Elaine Weathers THIRD PLACE: From left, Jeanette Sutton, Marjorie Manager in July, 1973 and to Manager a year later. golf and has participated in company tournaments. and Ida Gazafah. Pat Kidd, Wilma Ketche/.

fourteen/' seven/ JoANN COOK PROMOTED TO MAJOR MEDICAL SUPERVISOR JackEga n Wins Award The promotion of JoAnn Cook For Cartoon Journalism. Employees Club Ne ws to Supervisor of the newly creat­ ed Maior Medical Claims Exam­ ining Department was announced Physician Relations Represen­ by Jim Tuck, Assistant Manager tative Jack Egan recently won a Gray, Employees Club Director, has reported 2. Mixed Bowling League of Blue Shield Claims, effective first place award for best news­ paper editorial cartoons at the )Wing events which have recently taken place, This is the first time the Club has sponsored May 19. ,ently happening, and those which are planned JoAnn has worked here since Florida Press Association's a men's and women's bowling league for sev­ Spring Convention. ,ear future: eral years. There are 24 teams, four members 1968 in the Major Medical De- JoAnn Cook partment in many capacities, the Jack, whose work appears in to a team, and they bowl at Ramona Lanes "The Islander", Anna Maria, Flor­ FTBALL latter being a Section Leader for two years. every Thursday Night until September. Victor ida won the award with his al- Hebert is president of the league. JoAnn is a native of Brewton, Alabama. Before grad­ Jack Ega n Men's Industrial Softball League. uating from Paxon Senior High School, she came to ways witty and sometimes caus- tic cartoon series about an oily bird named Slick. For The Club has entered two teams in the City TRAVEL TOURS work here as a part time DCT student and continued Industrial Leagues. her career here for seven years, earning her the new the second year in a row, Jack's ability with a pen has won recognition for him and "The Islander." Men's Intramural Softball League. The Club coordinated three travel tours this supervisory position. year through AITS, the group which handled She enjoys bowling and reading in her leisure time. Jack works for George Lewis, Vice President-Physi­ The Club has sponsored six teams to play the Hawaii trip last year. There were eleven cian Affairs. and is located in the Sarasota Office. every Wednesday after work at Willowbranch employees who took the Caribbean cruise from Park. Outstanding teams at this writing are April 26 to May 3. This included a plane trip Medicare B, the Misfits and the Scrubs. The to Miami and back. The group cruised on the intramural season will run until the middle of TSS Mardi Gras. They stopped in San Juan, SLICK byEgan August. St. Thomas, and Nassau. There were 19 em­ SectionLeader Pramo tions Women's Intramural Softball League. ployees who signed up for the Swiss-Bavarian The Club sponsors four teams to play every trip from June 19 to June 28. This included Ernestine Bevel was promoted to Section Leader of a plane from Jacksonville to Munich, Germany, Prescription Drugs and State Group effective May 19, Tuesday after work at Utility Field. At this writ­ � ing, the Superstars team is undefeated. Their reporting to Supervisor Pat Hancock. She was hired season will run through August. as Claims Examiner on July 31, 1973. _s;-- She is a native of Jacksonville and graduated from Forrest High School. She is married to Thomas and has one daughter, Tonya. Her hobbies are cooking, �,J volleyball, tennis, sewing, and she enjoys singing in her church choir.

Lou Garrell was promoted to section Leader of Sub­ ------. r;.'. scribers Service Group and reports to Assistant Manager ,� a train trip through Switzerland to Geneva, Vivian Bessent. She was hired as a Billing Clerk in Sub­ and optional side trips to Austria and France. scribers Service Group in April, 1973, and was promoted �_111)y A third trip to Hawaii is planned for July 25 to Special Accounts Clerk in November, 1973, a posi­ PE L\CAN PE.RC\-\ to August 2, with approximately 20 people tion she held until this most recent promotion, effec­ signed up for this trip. BIRO HOSP \"TAL )lf tive June 2. '1 M}l-ES Lou is a native of Stony Creek, Virginia and is a Golf League DISCOUNTS TO EMPLOYEES graduate of Central High School in Sussex County, �'if' . A:.,>-- _.,tr The 60 employees who play in three divisions = __1c:, h .l '�.::.::::...., The Club coordinates discounts from various Virginia. She has a daughter, Tina, and her hobby is \)t '11$1aret.,■11ildiiHG101 have completed league play. Winners will be sewing. announced shortly. places which are too numerous to mention here. Of significance, however, are some new r Golf Lessons discount offers which have become available. �:, r:\.�,1 l A 20% discount offer is now available from 7'i ' There were 55 employees who completed golf :ru!.l?>f\ uv<.�,__ Silver Springs and Weeki Wachee. Six Flags IL· -- J lessons from Floyd Smith at the driving range Carolyn Wennerstrom, was promoted to Sec­ on Fort Caroline Road. Lessons were one hour Over Georgia is offering a dollar discount on R. N., "You're covered, alright, but not by Blue Cross." long for six weeks at a total cost of $12.00. the admission price. The Magic Kingdom Club tion Leader in the Medical Review Department effective cards now offer 10 % discounts to the Howard March 17, reporting to Supervisor Terry Brady. She WUNG Johnson Motor lodges. The motor lodge at the was hired as Medical Review Clerk on July 9, 1973. BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL - Slick, this oily black bird main gate carries this discount a little further She is a native of St. Albans, Vermont, graduated created by Islander cartoonist Jack Egan, spearheaded Women's Sum mer Bowling League by offering a flat rate throughout the year of from Bellows Free Academy there and is a graduate the paper's editorial campaign against Belcher Oil Ten teams, four girls each, are bowling at the $16.00 across the board. The Magic Kingdom of Mary Fletcher Hospital School of Nursing, Burling­ Co. 's efforts to build a super tanker unloading platform Classic Lanes every Monday night. The league Club card can also be used for a discount at ton, Vermont. She is married to Howard and has three off local beaches and a refinery at Port Manatee. Egan's lasts until September and its President is Bon­ Cypress Gardens. More details are available children, Carol, Gail and Brenda. Her hobbies are golf Slick cartoons received a first place award statewide for nie Godbold who also led the winter league. from Jim Gray. and swimming. Best Newspaper Cartoons. (Islander Art)

fifteen/ ' ' THREE ADDED TO EEO-EMPLOYEE Blue Shield in 1974: Be Aware REL.ATIONS STAFF Eugene O'Brien, Vice President of Human Resources, Enrollment, Claims Of Your Newshound has announced the addition of three employees to the Payments Reach EEO-Employee Relations Staff. Tina Henault, PROFILE Re­ Record Highs porter on 10 South, is the fourth Ruth Williams, who for the past five years has served such reporter to be spotlighted. the Plans as Corporate Nurse, will serve as a Counselor Blue Shield of Florida's enrollment and c Tina is described most aptly as for complaints and grievances. Ruth is also acting as "Hedda Hopper No. 2!" payments reached all-time highs in 1974, a the Office Supervisor for the Employee Relations area rollment climbed to 1,840,000 and claims Since she assumed the duties of the department. of reporting on 10 South nearly Chooses for physician services increased nearly 25 a year ago she has given the em­ cent. Blue Shield claims payments increast ployees in that area news with Vicki Stanley joins the staff as a full time employee Blue Cross Plans $63,600,000 compared to $51,000,000 in 1 "sunshine" in every one of her after employment as a CBE student. Vicki has been as­ Effective May 1, 1975, 300,000 General Elec­ monthly floor Newsletters. Tina works solely on the signed to work with Sam Byrts, Affirmative Action Co­ The total volume of Blue Shield claims pa monthly Newsletter herself; Helen Keene and Sandra ordinator, on the Affirmative Action Plan. Vicki comes tric Company employees plus dependents were 1974 climbed to 1,950,000 which representE Jackson are primarily responsible for news for PROFILE to the department from H. R.I.C. covered by the Blue Cross System nationally. GE increase of 482,000 claims over the previous each month for 10 South; Rochelle Dryden handles the is the fifth largest employer in the nation, duties for 10 Main. Gross Income from fees in 1974 amounted t Gwen Thomas comes from the Northern Regional making it possible for Blue Cross Plans to cover Tina was hired in 1973 in Medicare B. She was pro­ nine of 10 of the largest employers listed by proximately $73, 120,000, an increase of 18 moted in July, 1974 to Secretary to Flake Hewett, Di­ Office where she was employed as secretary to Art cent over 1973. rector of Medicare A. Lentz, Northern Regional Manager. Gwen acts as the "Fortune" magazine. Tina hails from Baltimore, Maryland but has made legal recorder for the department. Additional Blue Shield of Florida financial stat Jacksonville her home since coming here in 1963. She As a National Account, with Massachusetts for 197 4, reported at the annual Blue Shield r is a graduate of Terry Parker High School where she Jesse Grover, Director of the EEO-Employee Relations Blue Cross Plan as control, GE enrollment af­ ing, included: was actively involved in drama. She served as Vice Department, adds the original staffing of his depart­ ment included Anita DeBose, Frankie Hawkins, and fects 72 of 74 U.S. Blue Cross Plans. Blue Cross President of the women's winter bowling league and and Blue Shield of Florida will provide hospital is currently participating in the summer mixed bowling Mary Smith. BLUE SHIELD coverage for approximately 5,000 employees league and is taking golf lessons. These three activities $764,000 operating loss, compared with a are sponsored by our Employees Club which counts and their dependents. of $3,370,000 in 1973. her among its more avid supporters. She also serves as a Safety Captain for the tenth floor South. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for the $9,300,000 in reserve at the end of 1974 fo -W dd reported claims. Tina enjoys ceramics, several of which she has made e ings 1$; present will maintain the surgical-medical and for fellow employees and friends. She is active behind major medical coverages for GE. $18,275,000 total reserves held against cc the scenes in "Players By The Sea," a theatre group Mary Ann Long was married on May 17 to Duane gencies. at Jacksonville Beach. She is a softball fan and also Truman in the Oak Crest United Methodist Church. A reception was held in the home of the bride's mother. The GE enrollment is considered the Sys­ $10,485,000 as the market value of investn participates in the sport. For relaxation, when she finds in bonds. time, she "enjoys good music, good food and good Mary Ann and Duane spent their honeymoon in St. tem's greatest success story since the Federal company." She has made a habit of leaving her News­ Augustine and Marineland. She has been an employee Employee Program. GE's decision to go with $1, 126,000 as market value of stock. letter readers with a happy thought or quotation. To since September, 1974 and is a Transcriber in the Word Processing Department. the Blue Cross Plans was based upon an estab­ further illustrate her zest for living as well as her op­ GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS timistic philosophy, Tina was asked about one of her lished Blue Cross record in the delivery of health favorite quotations. In her inimitable, impish way, Tina care and cost containment. MEDICARE PART B said "Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and your mascara will run!" Claims Volume: 3,720,000, an increase of Pam Patterson became the bride of Frank Newsom percent. on July 12 at the Lake Shore Chapel Assembly. A recep­ The truth is ... tion followed at Forty ET Eight Hall. The couple honey­ Payments: $194,400,000, an increase of Are you showing the proper beneficiary on your mooned in Orlando at Disney World. Pauline Roark, "There are certain truths which are true no percent. Company group life insurance policy? Failure to Frank's sister, was matron of honor and works in the matter how much the world may question or deny Assignment Ratio: 39.2 percent. designate a beneficiary or failure to keep your ben­ Word Processing Department. Pam came to work here them. In the economic realm, for instance, you eficiary designation current can cause serious prob­ cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislat­ Work on Hand (Expressed in Weeks as of in July, 1973 and is a Redactron Operator in the Word 1974): 5.0. lems in settling an estate and intended beneficiaries Processing Department. ing the wealthy out of it. You cannot multiply can be left out completely. wealth by dividing it. Governments cannot give to people what they do not first take away from CHAMPUS Check with Barbara Lanier (6408) or Marie Smith �: people. And that which one man receives without Claims Volume: 190,000. (6588) in the Compensation Department to be sure working for, another man must work for without that your present beneficiary designations are as Marilyn Barrington was married on July 12 to Robert receiving it. And nothing can kill the initiative Payments for Medical Care: $16,365,000. you want them. J. Bias in the Church of God in Christ with a reception of a people quicker than for half to get the idea The same applies to the Blue Cross and Blue following at the church. The couple honeymooned in they need not work because the other half will TITLE XIX (MEDICAID) Atlanta which included a visit to Six Flags Over Georgia. feed them, and for the other half to get the idea Shield Employees Credit Union. Check with Frances Claims Volume: 231,000. Stewart (6167) to determine that you have the cor­ Marilyn has been an employee here for three years and it does no good to work since someone else re­ rect beneficiary listed on your Credit Union records. is a Redactron Operator in the Word Processing De­ ceives the rewards." Payments: $3,425,000. partment.

sixteen; • ' WhyHospi tal Costs Continue To Rise

·lyn displays gift showing drawing of color television from plus her package a a set she received the company her vaca­ $700 retirement checks. Posing with her are, from left, Tom Stallworth, Barbara Lanier, Joe Stansell, Mr. Herbert, Jim Gibbons y Collins. Hospital costs are rising. While hospitals are distinct from business and industry, they are affected by economic trends. Like consumers, they pay more for food, drugs and supplies - $600 also for equipment and machinery that's vital Evelyn EvansRetire s on June 5 to hospital operation, but costly. And, of course, wages and salaries are up for personnel who staff the hospitals. yn Evans sat in President Herbert's office on presents on her desk her last day at work. She will be $500 reminiscing about her first day on the job, June sorely missed by her friends, many who worked with 46. She was then in the old Roberts Building, her quite a few of those 29 years. As a rule, hospitals need people with more wn Jacksonville and was one of our first em­ She will be living near her family in Sparks, Georgia, ;, Blue Cross of Florida was only two years old about 30 miles north of Valdosta. technical skills than industry does. Two-thirds je Shield of Florida was only a few months old. of a hospital's operating costs go for wages $400 he day of her retirement, this charming lady was and salaries of personnel, as compared with 1ded by several of her close friends - Mr. Her­ about one third of industry's operating costs )e Stansell, Tom Stallworth, Jim Gibbons, Betty for wages and salaries. , and Barbara Lanier - as they talked of the hen she took care of all the billing by hand us­ :ill index cards on her desk which she kept filed $300 tie box. Because hospitals cannot absorb employee times have changed! Now Evelyn , the No. 1 salary increases as industry does through in­ ee with the most years of service with the Flor­ creased production, they must reflect high pay­ ns, heads the list of over 3,700 other Plan roll costs in higher charges for room and ancil­ ;, lary services. Hospital "sell" service, and this $200 velyn's request, just a simple retirement cere­ person-to-person relationship is expensive. vas held in Mr. Herbert's office when he pre­ I � I � I � r � r ; l � r � I � I � I� l � 1 I her with her vacation and retirement checks. o opened a gift wrapped drawing of her choice Too, hospitals operate with fully trained per­ t from the company - a portable color televi­ sonnel (about 2½ per patient) 24 hours a day, This chart shows the increase in the last 10 years t. seven days a week. A large hospital often has of the average cost per case in Florida hospitals. The work on June 5, the compa ny treated Evelyn average length of stay in a Florida hospital in 1974 those in her department, including her Director more than 200 different job classifications to was 6.01 days. This is down from 1973 when the aver­ ,bons and her Manager Betty Collins, to a dinner provide the personalized care necessary for age length of stay was 6.3 days. ;reen Derby since Evelyn did not want a recep­ each patient. her honor. The department presented her with )nd and pearl pin. A souvenir "memory book" :tures of her retirement day and party was made sent to Evelyn later on. Evelyn was Supervisor nformation Department when she retired. Evelyn's Manager, Betty Collins, and her Director, Jim Gib­ s plain to see that Evelyn had endea red herself bons, are pictured with her on June 5, the day she retired after fellow workers as evidenced by the array of 29 years of service.

four/ � seventeen/ • ' mind, for I was really unable to understand my situa­ tion. I thought you would be pleased to know about such an efficient employee."

'T * tr * We Get Mr. Herbert also received this letter from a Miami subscriber concerning Helen Smith in our Cora l Gables office: "On several occasions recently it was necessary to visit your Blue Cross and Blue Shield office in Coral Lettets Gables for information and assistance relating to my policy. I was referred to Helen Smith, Federal Claims Representative, and was very much impressed with her courteous, considerate and efficient manner in explain­ ing and assisting me with my problems relating to out­ standing med ical bills. With employees such as Mrs. Smith, it is difficult to understand recent news releases The following letter was sent to James Tuck, Assis­ critizing the Blue Cross and Blue Shield in the handling tant Manager of Major Medical, complimenting one of of federal claims." his employees, Darlene Brown: "I am writing this letter regarding one of your em­ * ployees, Darlene Brown, I cal led her regarding some indiscrepancies in our Major Medical claims. She was Nikurka Arostiquez, Coral Gables office, received Mr. Stansell very courteous and helpful and was able to clarify some this letter of praise: "It is always a delight to talk to Mr. Hopper, a you. You seem to have all the correct answers to my ducted an N of the problems concerning our claim. However, since Jacksonville in I was calling long distance and she didn't want to keep questions. Some day I hope I shall have the opportunity l

eighteen/ � Lillian Borowicz, Medicare Analyst in our Fort Lauder­ We Get Letters continued dale branch office, received the following complimen­ tary remarks: "I went on my social security last August * * r:, ::, ::, and really had a problem getting proper ·information The following complimentary letters were received from anybody. I had a trip up to Chicago and had to f®CT��rn concerning Lillian Borowicz of Ft. Lauderdale: "Thank go to the hospital. When I came back I went to your you very much for your assistance to me and my wife office and was sent to a Lillian Borowicz. I have had . 1 July, 1975 on our recent visit to your office. Your words of en­ employment most of my life dealing with the public and I have never had the pleasure to be given the at­ 1ed monthly for the employees, couragement and kindness will remain in my memory tention and help she gave me. Hoping you can thank !ir families, and friends of for a long time. Keep up the good work and God bless you and yours and may you never know a moment of her for me." unhappiness." ''I'm sure I am not alone in singing the praises of * * Lillian Borowicz. Every time I had occasion to call on her for help, she has been most understanding, kind and sympathetic. She is a rare person, and I thought Melissa Rowland, General Claims Analyst in the you might be interested to know how I feel about her. Sarasota branch office, received this letter: "I appreci­ ' It is a privilege to know her although I never met her ate all you have done for me and my husband. The :ross® Blue Shield®· personally." time you have given me and the understanding are very of Florida much appreciated, and you have been the nicest of all ::� the persons I have had to deal with over the past several 532 Riverside Avenue Jerry Landgraf, Manager of the Blue Shield Claims months. Many thanks!" lacksonville, Florida 32202 Department, received the following letter from the Per­ sonnel Office of Southern Bell in Orlando concerning �� i; * * Delores Davis in the Special Accounts Department: "I EDITOR wish to commend and thank one of your employees, Two complimentary letters were received from the Carole Utley Delores Davis, for her assistance to me in preparing an School Board of Sara sota County by our Representative extraordinary medical exp3nse insurance claim for one Kenneth Groh: "This letter is to express my appreciation REPORTERS of our employees. The claim was quite large and re­ for my coverage and your cooperation regarding claims JILDING 16 Marianne Nielsen About the cover ... quired much research and explanations on Mrs. Davis' for my son's surguries which total 14 due to a birth part. She was always courteous, even joking, and al­ Warren 17 Cindy Hutchinson defect. I was not required to contact the business office ways willing to obtain whatever information I required. at the hospital upon admittance or discharge. It was Ids 18 Jane Williams U We do so many claims here at Southern Bell, some of 18 Rose Sluder ii :}HE GARDEN CLB OF ACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA comforting to be able to check into and out of the hos­ ss J which are very challenging! It makes our job easier Godbold 18 Debbie Joseph pital room and never receive a statement or question 19 Eartha Little when we receive such cooperation. We appreciate Mrs. regarding payment of the bill. I am grateful for the �rm strong IOOJ P.IVf!flSII)ft AV('NUF. 20 Judy Schneider Jo\CKSO.-IV!llf" . FLORID-\ Davis." security provided to employees of the School Board 1 Day under contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield. I would 1 Poplin J. W. H. l'!i e 75 CHELSEA BUILDING also like you to know that the doctor's office expressed 1enney astonishment at the realization that my particular policy imith Amy Jenney A former Ft. Lauderdale subscriber writes a letter of fully covered his entire fee. I just wanted to keep you �_l lison I appreciation to of our Ft. Lauderdale :-'��r � Helen Carpenter posted on my claims and to thank you for your interest e Curry NORTH BUILDING branch office: "It is so unusual to get service today I 1 I'!r . J.., tr '! . !lqr'!;Art, ?'res:l.dr�� and cooperation here at the local level." 2 Janice Schoonover 1 · ieney !3 ,:e Cc-0,s-:H+..1 � s!i.:.cl -' felt you deserve to be thanked personally for your 0 "I would like to thank you and your secretary for the liver • O . 3;;,: ,7?6 prompt answer to my telephone question about the .!aekso;,v�. tle , :?!.oridn J:!:!O!. time and effort you recently spent regarding the mis­ !nault MAIN BUILDING change in our Blue Cross and Blue Shield from Florida Ot':ir wJ- . :fo rhc?'t : understandings with my son's and daughter's medical Jackson 1 Carol Whiting 1 to New York. Service today is at a low, low ebb and one T'.. u Car<"!P.:::'I C ub of J�d:.son·:illc- wo;.1 lr\ like �o ci::n:gr1:�ulete Blue bills. I appreciate the fact that everything was taken eloach 5 Yvonne Daniels !Je wtmte..!. you to kno"° that -we apprec:!�te: the bttS:ir.f"'ases 1rt OUT' to be compli mented. Wish there were more kind, con­ c!.t::t with their con�'rib.i.;_ticn f.n mitk!ug Jacksonville a more erbrueggen 6 Violet Williams 'benut'lfu l pl.ac,r. in Hbi,:.h to live anr:i visit . siderate people like you who care about us elderly peo­ Vilson 7 Sandy Osteen �it": hope 11s we- eo into our bi-cent:enisl yrBr that. many othf'r !i'!:'!..c"!S ple. Thank you so very much." ,.,ill !c 110.., yaur le3d . Kinnison 8 Roxanne Godwin Our Personnel Department received this letter com­ Hewlett 9 Ruby DuBose � i.netarely , "' mending and Claims Ana­ T:!E <:.\R!lr,'1 CLUB OF .JAC SONVlLLE ,:, ,:, * ,:, ,:, Loraine Klein Miriam Seyler, atson 10 Rochelle Dryden r�.,,�)/f-.- IJ ifkv.�o1-.TL' lysts in the Fort Lauderdale Branch: "I desire to take lbold . . Mail Operations Distribution 1 This nice note was sent to of our St. a moment to extend my gratitude and appreciation to Mrs . Ja!-.n :,1 . tow . tl1 . J l . , Janet Davis PrcaiJcnt Petersburg bra nch office along with a necklace as a Loraine Klein and Miriam Seyler for their past and cur­ JlTTldt',';;- gift from two subscribers: "Please accept this small rent courtesy and kindness they have given to me and Member token of our deep appreciation for all your efforts. Not my husband. In this day and era it is almost impossible �ortheast Florida Business only did you help unravel all the red tape connected to find this kind of compassion and cooperation from Communicators Southern Association of with payments to the Cleveland Clinic, but you also people in the business world. Thus, I would like to in­ Business Communicators went the 'extra mile' to donate blood toward his credit. form you of this. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Insurance Nothing we can do or say can ever tell you of our deep should be proud to have Loraine and Miriam as part an Equal Opportunity Employer gratitude.'' of their organization. Again. our thanks."

sl!' Blue Cross Association nineteen/� nal Association of Blue Shield Plans In this Issue:

A New Life-Saving Technique General Electric Chooses B1 Annual Sales Awards [P®V��rn Why Hospital Costs Car of BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHlELD of FLORIDA July, 1975

You're having dinner with a friend or family member. hips, facing him. With one of your hands over the Suddenly, a piece of food lodges in his throat. He is other, place the heel of your bottom hand on the abdo­ choking and cannot breathe or speak. He turns blue men slightly above the navel and below the rib cage. and collapses. What do you do? Press forcefully into the victim's abdomen with a quick Often nothing is done - and the victi m dies of upward thrust. Repeat if necessary. strangulation in four minutes. But prompt action using In both methods, Heimlich explains, pressure forces a simple technique developed by Dr. Henry Heimlich, the diaphragm upward , compressing the trapped air director of surgery at Jewish Hospita l in Cincinnati, in the lungs, expelling the blocking food particle from can save a person's life in a situation like this. the breathing passage. If it is not possible to reach to the back of the The description of the so-called "Heimlich Ma neu­ throat and extract the food with your fingers, the Heim­ ver" was first published about nine months ago. Since lich method should be used. then, over 100 verified cases of children and adults If the victim is standing or sitting, stand behind him, saved by the procedure have been reported. Some of wrap your arms around his waist and allow his head, the reports show that a person alone may apply the arms and upper torso to hang forward. Grasp your fist method using his own fist or the back of a chair to with your other hand and place the fist against the expel the choking food particle. victim's abdomen, slightly above the navel and below Food strangulation kills about 4,000 people each the rib cage. Press your fist forcefully into the victim's year in the U.S. and 80,000 throughout the world. The abdomen with a quick upward thrust. Repeat if ne c­ "Heimlich Maneuver" can cut those statistics dramat­ cessary. ically. It may even save your life or the life of some­ If the victim is lying on his back, kneel astride his one you know.