BALTIMORE, MD., March 8, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), the region's largest health insurer, has been named one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" for a fourth consecutive year. The award, announced today by Ethisphere Institute, highlights CareFirst's continued commitment to ethical behavior, responsible corporate governance and employee integrity.
CareFirst is one of only three health insurers named to this year's list of 131 corporations. The company debuted on Ethisphere's annual list of the World's Most Ethical Companies in 2013.
"This is a tremendous honor that our company, our employees and our board members take great pride in," said CareFirst President and CEO Chet Burrell. "It speaks highly of the work we have put into enhancing our corporate ethics and governance that CareFirst has been regarded among the most ethical companies in the world for four years in a row."
This is the 10th year Ethisphere has published its World's Most Ethical Companies list, which recognizes companies that align principle with business action. Past honorees include household names like Aflac, Microsoft, Kellogg's, and L'Oreal, to name a few.
When compiling this year's list, Ethisphere reviewed thousands of nominees worldwide and assessed their competency in five areas: ethics and compliance; culture of ethics; leadership, innovation and reputation; corporate citizenship and responsibility; and, governance.
"Companies rely on Ethisphere to continually raise and measure the standards of corporate behavior," said Ethisphere CEO Timothy Erblich. "Those that demonstrate leadership in areas like citizenship, integrity and transparency create more value for their investors, communities, customers and employees, thus solidifying a sustainable business advantage. Congratulations to everyone at CareFirst for being recognized as a World's Most Ethical Company."
For more information on the importance of being a World's Most Ethical Company, check out this video from Ethisphere.
The 131 companies chosen to this year's list represent 54 industry sectors from 21 countries and five continents. The methodology for determining the World's Most Ethical Companies includes:
- Reviewing codes of ethics, litigation and regulatory infraction histories;
- Evaluating investment in innovative and sustainable business practices;
- Looking at activities designed to improve corporate citizenship; and,
- Studying nominations from senior executives, industry peers, suppliers and customers.
More information on the methodology and the complete list of the 2016 World's Most Ethical Companies is available onEthisphere's website.
About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
In its 78th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.4 million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2015, CareFirst contributed nearly $40 million to improve overall health, and increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit our website atwww.carefirst.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram or Google+.
About the Ethisphere Institute
The Ethisphere® Institute is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that fuel corporate character, marketplace trust and business success. Ethisphere has deep expertise in measuring and defining core ethics standards using data-driven insights that help companies to enhance corporate character. Ethisphere honors superior achievement through its World's Most Ethical Companies® recognition program, provides a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA) and showcases trends and best practices in ethics with the publication of Ethisphere Magazine. More information about Ethisphere can be found at Ethisphere's website.