Operating with integrity and respect is at the heart of how we do business with our members, customers and suppliers and as a corporate citizen in our communities.

Our core values are embedded in our codes of conduct for employees and the companies we do business with. Our values also inspire us to continuously find ways to reduce our environmental impact and contribute to a healthier environment for our members and communities. 

Sustainability

As a health care company, we know taking care of people also requires taking care of the planet. In 2023, we took the following steps to be good stewards of the environment: 

Optimizing Our Resources

  • Offset 100% of our emissions related to electric power usage with the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates.
  • Reduced electric power consumption by 30,000 kilowatt-hours with energy efficiency projects.
  • Participated in external disclosure programs including CDP to measure our environmental impacts.

 

Reducing Waste

  • Recycled 1.6 million pounds of paper and 96,400 pounds of electronic waste.
  • Composted 96,800 pounds of organics.
  • Donated the equivalent of nearly 1,000 meals to Chicago Bridge Project and Heartland Alliance.
  • Saved more than 732,000 plastic bottles with water dispensers in offices — 73% more than in 2022. 

 

Promoting Biodiversity

  • Expanded urban beekeeping program to our new office in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.
  • Created new pollinator-focused gardens at our offices in Mattoon and Danville. 

 

Workers sorting through garbage for recyclables and compostable waste

Ethics and Compliance 

External recognition assures our customers, business partners and communities that we are committed to ethics and integrity. That’s why we were proud to be named one of the 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere® for the eighth straight year.

This designation recognizes a broad range of initiatives focused on culture, compliance practices, governance, environmental and social impacts, leadership and reputation. In addition to this global recognition, our Ethics and Compliance Ambassador Program was named a “best practice” by Health Ethics Trust. 

These honors recognize our ability to sustain a robust compliance program even during times of change.

We maintain a strong ethical culture by leaning on our core values of integrity, respect, commitment, excellence and caring, which form the foundation of our codes of conduct.

Woman fills tote with food goods at employee volunteer event

Supplier Diversity

A diverse supply chain is critical to our ability to innovate, maximize our operational effectiveness, and ultimately enhance our ability to serve our members. 

Our total spend with diverse suppliers increased from 6.66% in 2022 to 7.23% in 2023, representing disbursements of $176.7 million to diverse-owned businesses.*   

 We’re a member of several nonprofit advocacy organizations that promote the inclusion of their business members, assisting in their growth and connecting them with prospective customers:  

  • National Minority Supplier Development Council 

  • Women’s Business Enterprise National Council 

  • National LGBT Chamber of Commerce 

  • National Veteran’s Business Development Council 

  • Disability:IN 

 We engage with these organizations in matchmaker events, access their databases to identify potential businesses for inclusion in sourcing opportunities and participate in their conferences.  

* Applies to Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas

Man smiles cheerfully

Last Updated: April 19, 2024