INDIANAPOLIS, April 26, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- WellPoint's State Sponsored Business Social Work program offered through its affiliated health plans was named the best in the country in the Social Work category, and six other care management programs offered through WellPoint's affiliated health plans were recognized at the first annual Case in Point Platinum Awards, created by Dorland Health, a publisher in the health care business information industry. The Physician Collaboration Program, Chronic Kidney Disease and End-Stage Renal Disease Condition Management program, Custom Care Support program, Preterm Birth Prevention program, Behavioral Health Intervention for the Severely Medically Ill, and Managed Care program were all recognized.

"As the largest health benefits company in terms of medical membership, we have the privilege and responsibility to serve millions of Americans who count on us to be there for them and their families each day," said Anthony Nguyen, senior vice president of Care Management for WellPoint. "Our care managers are committed to providing members with the resources, tools and support needed to truly make an impact on their lives. This recognition is a testament to our commitment, dedication and hard work toward improving the health of members, and helping to improve today's health care system. It's an honor to have so many of our programs recognized."

The State Sponsored Business Social Work program focuses on assisting members in garnering necessary resources such as mental health referrals, food bank information, subsidized housing availability, support group resources, caregiver resources, shelter availability, and substance related resources available in order to make adaptive changes that promote their highest level of functioning. A pilot and study of the program showed that the social work case managers' active management of this population is vital to instilling adaptive change among complex psychosocial needs and to enhancing patient self management. After one month of intervention, the test group reported a 43 percent reduction in symptoms of depression and a 67 percent reduction in anxiety. Furthermore, the social workers witnessed a 41 percent improvement in the utilization of community resources.

The complete list of winners and finalists are featured in the April issue of Case in Point magazine and can also be found online at the Dorland Health Web site.

Dorland Health publishes Case In Point, the official magazine of the Case Management Society of America, the Case Management Resource Guide, Case In Point Weekly, industry webinars, award programs, special reports, and offers continuing education certifications.

About WellPoint, Inc.

WellPoint works to simplify the connection between Health, Care and Value. We help to improve the health of our communities, deliver better care to members, and provide greater value to our customers and shareholders. WellPoint is the nation's largest health benefits company, with more than 33 million members in its affiliated health plans. As an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, WellPoint serves members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as the Blue Cross Blue Shield licensee in 10 New York City metropolitan and surrounding counties and as the Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield licensee in selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), and Wisconsin; and through UniCare. Additional information about WellPoint is available at http://www.wellpoint.com/.