INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP) announced today that it was named to the 2014 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity, ranking 29th on this year’s list. This marks WellPoint’s seventh consecutive appearance on the DiversityInc Top 50 list since 2008, which includes companies from a wide range of industries whose leadership, procurement practices, communications and training best reflect the reality of the rapidly changing face of America.
The company also received special recognition for placing in The DiversityInc Top 10 lists of Companies for Supplier Diversity (#3) and Companies for People with Disabilities (#7).
"The health-insurance company moves up 11 spots with an increased emphasis on talent development and supplier diversity. Diversity goals are tied to executive-performance reviews, including increasing female and racial/ethnic representation in management. Achievement of supplier-diversity goals is tied to the compensation of the CEO, executive leaders, and supplier-diversity and procurement associates,” said DiversityInc CEO Luke Visconti.
With the changing landscape in health care WellPoint recognizes the increasing importance of addressing the needs of its diverse consumers as more individuals continue to access health care services through the Affordable Care Act. “Having diverse associates and leaders who understand the unique needs of our consumers allows us to implement business solutions that effectively address the diverse health care needs, preferences and cultural values of the communities we serve,” said Joseph R. Swedish, WellPoint’s chief executive officer. “WellPoint’s ranking among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity is evidence of our effort to leverage the tremendous value that a diverse workforce and supplier base present to our business.”
“Now more than ever, closing health disparity gaps depends upon our ability to know our customers, develop products and programs that meet their unique needs, and to serve them in a culturally competent way,” said Tracy Edmonds, chief diversity officer at WellPoint. “This recognition is a testament to our commitment to the diverse families and individuals who rely on us for access to health benefits and services.”
This award follows WellPoint’s recent recognition by the National Hispanic Medical Association as the Corporate Hispanic Health Leader of the year; their ranking on the LATINAStyle Top 50 Companies and the recognition by Indianapolis Mayor with the Sam H. Jones Award for the company’s commitment to diversity.
To see the full ranking of The 2014 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity as well as more information on the methodology, visit www.diversityinc.com/top50
About WellPoint, Inc.
WellPoint is one of the nation’s leading health benefits companies. We believe that our health connects us all. So we focus on being a valued health partner and delivering quality products and services that give members access to the care they need. With nearly 68 million people served by our affiliated companies including nearly 36 million enrolled in our family of health plans, we can make a real difference to meet the needs of our diverse customers. We’re an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. We serve members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; and as 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. In most of these service areas, our plans do business as Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, or Empire Blue Cross (in the New York service areas). We also serve customers in other states through our Amerigroup and CareMore subsidiaries. To find out more about us, go to wellpoint.com.