Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) has added one of the largest online social media tools, Twitter, to its online presence. Like instant messaging to the masses, Twitter allows us to see what is being said about BCBSIL, send replies to anyone commenting on us, and broadcast information about programs, successes and opinions for all to see.

Twitter is one of the fastest growing social media tools on the Internet, growing by 50 percent every few months. Top companies are using Twitter and other social media tools to engage customers and prospects in a live, real-time conversation that is one-to-one, but viewed by many. Among those using Twitter are
Starbucks, American Heart Association, American Red Cross, Centers for Disease Control, Southwest
Airlines and Whole Foods.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Twitter account will be used as a crisis communications and public affairs bulletin board, as well as a promotional and marketing communications tool. Examples of things BCBS of IL will post to Twitter include an announcement of a new major account BCBS of IL signed,
health and wellness tips from Blue Care Connection®, milestones in membership or provider network growth, and important up-to-the-minute information during natural disasters. Also, BCBS of IL will use Twitter to start conversations and get testimonials from our members.

You can sign up to track Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Twitter posts by joining the Twitter community. It is free to set up an account, and Twitter is easy to use. Just go to www.twitter.com to get started, and then search for twitter.com/bcbsil.