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Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Offers Newborn and Parenting Resources to Ease New Mothers' Transition Back to Work After Maternity Leave

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri is pleased to announce Newborn and Parenting Resources - a new service designed to help new mothers adjust to their newborn baby and return to work after maternity leave. Newborn and Parenting Resources is available to all new and in-force short term disability plans effective January 1, 2010.

New moms have access to Newborn and Parenting Resources once their baby arrives and their short term disability claim has been approved. Then, they will receive eight weeks of Newborn and Parenting Resources services at no cost to them. The eight weeks start on the date the new mother enrolls in the program.

Once enrolled, the new mothers are paired with highly trained and licensed professional coaches who have advanced degrees in counseling and/or child development. The coaches provide support and help mothers set goals, address concerns and identify resolutions on topics including: returning to work, adjusting to a new baby, work/life balance, issues with older siblings, health and nutrition, child development and parent well-being. The coaches are available via e-mail, instant message chat, online journal and telephone. In addition, new mothers can receive a 12-month subscription to American Baby magazine and get discounts on products to make their house safe for their newborn.

"It doesn't matter if it's the first baby or the fifth, we know making the transition from maternity leave to working outside the house can be challenging," said Nick Brecker, president of Life and Disability. "We want new mothers to know we provide more than a benefits check. We provide new mothers with resources to help ease the transition back to work after their maternity leave and help them be successful working mothers."

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri

In Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area) Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name for RightCHOICE® Managed Care, Inc. (RIT), Healthy Alliance® Life Insurance Company (HALIC), and HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates administer non-HMO benefits underwritten by HALIC and HMO benefits underwritten by HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates only provide administrative services for self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri is available at www.anthem.com.

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri