Mark Owen, An Eighteen Year Health Industry Veteran, Joins Health Care Service Corporation As President, Government Programs

CHICAGO, Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) today announced that Mark Owen will join the company in a newly created role as president of government programs. In this new role, Owen will be responsible for strategy, development, market management and operations related to Medicaid, Medicare and all future government programs.

Previously, Owen served as vice president of federal and individual business for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. In his new role, Owen will report to Colleen Reitan, executive vice president and chief operating officer of HCSC.

"As HCSC continues to advance its plans in government programs, we are committed to strengthening our expertise in these key areas to best meet the evolving needs of our members," said Colleen Reitan, executive vice president and chief operating officer of HCSC.  "Mark has demonstrated the ability to build and lead teams and establish industry and government relationships that have resulted in successful new products across several industries."

At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Owen was responsible for the overall management and growth for business segments that included Medicare Advantage, Medigap, the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program, and Individual Commercial products. Prior to that, Owen's industry experience includes various sales, marketing, government program and distribution leadership roles at Humana and Medica Health Plans.

"I'm excited to join a customer owned company with a longstanding commitment to providing its members choice, flexibility and affordable health care products throughout the various stages of their lives. I look forward to continuing to build HCSC's strong government programs by delivering solutions that meet our members' diverse needs," said Owen.

Owen holds a bachelor's degree from St. John's University and a masters in business administration from the University of Wisconsin. Owens and his family will relocate to the Chicago area.

About Health Care Service Corporation
Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, is the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall, with more than 13 million members in its Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. HCSC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, please visit www.HCSC.com, visit our Facebook page or follow us at www.twitter.com/HCSC.

SOURCE Health Care Service Corporation