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For Immediate Release

May 6, 2011

Geisinger Health Plan promotes texting service for expectant moms


DANVILLE, PA – Expectant moms have a lot to remember, especially when it comes to their baby’s health. That is why Geisinger Health Plan has partnered with text4baby SM , a unique mobile service that delivers free health-related text messages to women during their pregnancy and for up to one year after giving birth.

Timed first with the mother’s due date, then the baby’s date of birth, text messages are sent three times a week focusing on important reminders and valuable tips to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Topics include birth defect prevention, immunizations, nutrition, seasonal influenza, mental health, oral health and safe sleeping habits. Text4baby also connects expectant moms with prenatal and infant care services. Women can sign up by texting the word BABY (BEBE for Spanish) to 511411 or by visiting www.text4baby.org.

Launched in February 2010 by the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, text4baby SM was created to help new moms give their babies the best start to life, while keeping moms healthy as well. The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition was founded in 1981 to improve the quality and reach of public and professional education related to prenatal and infant care.

Geisinger Health Plan, begun in 1985, is headquartered in Danville, PA and is one of the nation’s largest rural HMOs. GHP is currently the top-rated plan in Pennsylvania and #5 in the country, according to National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2010-11-Private list. The plan serves approximately 270,000 members in 42 counties. Coverage is available for businesses of all sizes, individuals and families, and Medicare beneficiaries. For more information, please visit www.thehealthplan.com.

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For more information, please contact
Amy Bowen, Public Relations Coordinator, (570) 271-8135

Customer Service Teams

HMO, Geisinger Choice with Referral Members:
1-800-447-4000 or 570-271-8760
Weekdays 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Gold Members:
1-800-498-9731 or 570-271-8771
Weekdays 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

GHP Family:
(855) 227-1302
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

GHP Kids:
(866) 621-5235
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Geisinger Choice with No
Referral,
Geisinger Health Options and Geisinger Indemnity Insurance Company members:
1-800-504-0443 or 570-271-8770
Weekdays 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Telecommunications Device
for the Deaf:
711
Weekdays 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m