WellPoint Completes Acquisition of 1-800 CONTACTS, Inc.

WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP) announced the completion of its acquisition of 1-800 CONTACTS, Inc. 1-800 CONTACTS is a direct-to-consumer retailer of contact lenses in the U.S., providing consumers with a convenient and affordable way to purchase contact lenses through its easy-to-remember, toll-free telephone number, “1-800 CONTACTS” and its www.contacts.com website or glasses through its glasses.com website. The company serves approximately 3.3 million customers.

“We are extremely pleased to finalize our agreement even sooner than anticipated," said Angela F. Braly, chair, president and chief executive officer of WellPoint. "1-800 CONTACTS is an extraordinary company and we look forward to working together to deliver greater value to consumers and convenient access to care. WellPoint and 1-800 CONTACTS have complementary capabilities and assets, and we can now focus on leveraging 1-800 CONTACTS’ industry-leading platform to help grow direct-to-consumer relationships across the country and further supplement and expand our vision business.”

1-800 CONTACTS will remain headquartered in Draper, Utah, and becomes a wholly owned operating division of WellPoint.