Premera Blue Cross Achieves Compliance Leader Verification from Ethisphere
Premera Blue Cross, a prominent not-for-profit health plan serving the Pacific Northwest, has recently received the prestigious Compliance Leader Verification from Ethisphere for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027. This recognition underscores Premera's strong commitment to maintaining high ethical standards and a culture of compliance throughout its organization.
Ethisphere is well-known for establishing and promoting the ethical standards that lead to enhanced corporate character and business success. The review process involved a comprehensive evaluation of Premera's ethics and compliance programs, taking into consideration the company's commitment to integrity at all levels. Sven Peterson, the Compliance and Ethics Officer at Premera, noted, "Every decision we make directly impacts our customers and communities we serve; thus, we uphold the highest ethical behavior standards."
The Compliance and Ethics Committee at Premera plays a vital role in integrating legal and compliance aspects into major business strategies. This effort includes a broad range of initiatives aimed at fostering an ethical culture, such as:
- - Training for Leaders: Ensuring those in leadership positions understand ethical risks and are equipped to make values-driven decisions.
- - Employee Empowerment: Encouraging employees across all levels to raise concerns and address ethical issues proactively.
- - Compliance and Ethics Champion Program: This initiative brings together representatives from various departments for regular training, aiding them in supporting their colleagues effectively.
Laura Danysh, a senior ethics and compliance advisor at Ethisphere, praised Premera's ongoing evolution in regulatory and compliance matters, emphasizing the impressive structure of its Compliance and Ethics team. She also highlighted the investment in training and communication, the development of an effective Champion program, and internal monitoring enhancements, all indicative of a forward-thinking approach to compliance.
To achieve the Compliance Leader Verification, Premera had to undergo a rigorous evaluation process, which included completing the Ethics Quotient® (EQ) questionnaire—a tool designed to assess the effectiveness of compliance programs. This assessment benchmarked Premera against the World's Most Ethical Companies®, which involves in-depth analysis and interviews with key company executives.
Premera's overall performance was measured across six crucial areas: program resources and structure, perceptions within the organizational culture, written standards, training and communication, risk evaluation, and enforcement. The successful outcomes of these evaluations demonstrate the company's unwavering commitment to ethical practices.
For additional information about Premera Blue Cross's ethics and integrity initiatives, you can visit their official website. Founded in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, Premera Blue Cross is a leading health plan providing comprehensive services to over 2.5 million individuals, including families and large corporations. Their efforts in prioritizing ethics serve as a benchmark for other organizations in the healthcare sector.
In conclusion, Premera Blue Cross's achievement of Ethisphere's Compliance Leader Verification not only signifies their dedication to ethical practices but also emphasizes the importance of maintaining compliance within the healthcare industry. This recognition reinforces the idea that organizations can achieve significant success while adhering to high ethical standards and fostering trust within their communities.