CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Among ‘World’s Most Ethical Companies’ for Tenth Consecutive Year

Posted on 2022-03-15 | Updated on 2022-03-16 12:11:39

The company is one of four healthcare insurance companies recognized in 2022

Baltimore, Md./Washington, D.C. – CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), a not-for-profit and the largest healthcare company in the mid-Atlantic region, has been recognized by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2022. This year’s honor marks the tenth consecutive year CareFirst has been recognized for its commitment to high ethical business standards and practices.

“As CareFirst enters its 85^th year of being a trusted health insurer in the mid-Atlantic region, it’s extremely important to be the best partner, employer and neighbor we can be,” said Brian D. Pieninck, President and CEO of CareFirst. “Being named a ‘World’s Most Ethical Company’ for the tenth consecutive year symbolizes our unwavering commitment to high ethical standards and practices while promoting a culture of health, equity and accountability for all those we serve.”

CareFirst is one of just four companies representing the healthcare insurance industry on the list of 136 organizations spanning 22 countries and 45 industries. The designation recognizes strong corporate culture, business integrity and industry leadership in accountability, transparency and corporate social responsibility, all of which are CareFirst core values that guide the company’s mission: providing high quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services to people in the region.

“Business today faces their greatest mandate yet to be ethical, accountable, and trusted to drive positive change. Over the past few years, health and wellness has also been on the agendas of leaders,” said Ethisphere CEO, Timothy Erblich. “We continue to be inspired by the World’s Most Ethical Companies honorees in healthcare and their dedication to integrity, sustainability, governance, and community, particularly in times of uncertainty and change. Congratulations to CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield for earning the World’s Most Ethical Companies designation for the tenth consecutive year. It is a testament to the company’s historical commitment to a strong, ethical culture.”

In compiling this year’s list of World’s Most Ethical Companies, nominees were scored in five key categories and were expanded to gauge how applicants adapted to the global health pandemic. Categories included:

• Ethics and compliance program;
• Culture of ethics;
• Leadership and reputation;
• Governance; and,
• Environmental and societal impact.

“I am so proud to be a part of a company with a dedicated team of CareFirst Difference Makers who are committed to looking for opportunities to better serve our members and communities,” said P. Todd Cioni, CareFirst Vice President and Chief Compliance, Ethics and Privacy Officer. “Even in a hybrid work environment, we remain connected and committed to a strong corporate culture. CareFirst achieved this designation for policies, programs and practices, but it is the efforts of our people that are essential to establishing a strong ethical foundation for our future. This recognition goes to them.”

Grounded in Ethisphere’s proprietary Ethics Quotient®, the World’s Most Ethical Companies assessment process includes more than 200 questions on culture, environmental and social practices, ethics and compliance activities, governance, diversity, and initiatives to support a strong value chain. The process serves as an operating framework to capture and codify the leading practices of organizations across industries and around the globe.

The full list of the 2022 “World's Most Ethical Companies” can be found here.

About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield