Chiropractic Services Available at a Discount For Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Customers State's Largest Health Insurer Adds More Than 400 Chiropractors To Its Popular Alternative Medicine Discount Program Updated 1:57 PM ET February 1, 2000 CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) today announced it is making chiropractic services available at a 25 percent discount beginning immediately for nearly 1 million customers across the state. The state's largest health insurer has expanded its popular alternative medicine discount program, Alt Med Blue, with the addition of 400 chiropractors. To receive discounts on chiropractic care and many other alternative and complementary services, BCBSNC customers simply show their insurance identification card upon appointment at a participating practitioner. Since its launch last year, Alt Med Blue has offered North Carolinians the largest and most comprehensive choice of alternative services in the state. The program now includes more than 700 practitioners, offering a broad range of services at a discount including chiropractic care, acupuncture, stress reduction (including yoga, biofeedback and guided imagery), massage therapy/somatic education, personal trainers, fitness centers, spas and nutrition counseling. "Adding chiropractors to Alt Med Blue is a natural fit," said Dr. Robert Harris, chief medical officer at BCBSNC. "Chiropractic care is among the most frequently used complementary treatments. By offering these services through a discount program, we are able to give more customers greater access to a wider choice of affordable care." For a current list of providers participating in Alt Med Blue, customers can visit the company's website, www.bcbsnc.com , or call toll free at 1-888-336-BLUE. BCBSNC introduced Alt Med Blue last April, becoming the first health insurer in North Carolina and one of the first in the nation to announce such a comprehensive choice of alternative care options. Customers do not need a referral from their primary care provider to see an alternative practitioner, although Dr. Harris recommends that patients keep their doctors updated on any visits and alternative treatments they receive. To use an Alt Med Blue practitioner, customers simply make an appointment and show their BCBSNC identification card upon arrival. Discounts are typically 25 percent off the price of services at participating practitioners. There are no claim forms to fill out and no referral is needed. Alt Med Blue practitioners must follow a rigorous application and review process and meet training, licensure and experience requirements. They are reviewed by a team of peers on a wide range of guidelines, including quality and availability of services, facility standards and location. Chiropractic care is already covered in some cases for many BCBSNC customers. Alt Med Blue allows customers to receive discounts on chiropractic care even if they do not have chiropractic coverage. All chiropractors currently participating in BCBSNC's Personal Care Plan and MedPoint health plans also now participate in Alt Med Blue. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is the state's largest health insurer, with 1.8 million members and a 67-year history of providing quality, affordable health care coverage for North Carolinians. BCBSNC has earned Commendable Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to measuring the quality of America's health care. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. BCBSNC can be accessed online at www.bcbsnc.com Contact: Michelle Vanstory, 919-765-2825, or Fred Hartman, 919-765-4933, both of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina