Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a US-based federation that provides health insurance to more than 115 million people in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) is a national association of 33 to 35 independent, community-based, and locally operated BCBS companies. BCBS companies contract with over 1.7 million doctors and hospitals nationwide, serving more federal employees than any other insurer.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Year founded | 1929 |
Number of people insured | 115 million |
Number of doctors and hospitals under contract | 1.7 million |
Number of independent, community-based and locally operated companies | 33-35 |
Number of states with insurance plans | 50 |
Other areas with insurance plans | Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and several foreign countries |
What You'll Learn
- Blue Cross Blue Shield offers health insurance to over 115 million people in the US
- The Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program is the top choice for federal employees
- Blue Cross Blue Shield offers international healthcare coverage
- Blue Cross Blue Shield offers health, dental, and vision insurance
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida is ranked among the best health insurance companies
Blue Cross Blue Shield offers health insurance to over 115 million people in the US
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a United States-based federation with 34 independent and locally-operated companies that provide health insurance in the United States to over 115 million people. BCBS offers a personalized approach to healthcare based on the needs of the communities where their members live and work. They work closely with hospitals and doctors in the communities they serve to provide quality, affordable healthcare.
BCBS has a long history of providing healthcare coverage to its members, dating back to 1929. The federation was formed from the merger of two namesake organizations: Blue Cross, founded in 1929, and Blue Shield, which emerged in 1939. Blue Cross provided coverage for hospital services, while Blue Shield covered physicians' services. Today, BCBS offers a range of insurance plans, including individual and family plans, Medicare, and employer plans.
BCBS is committed to serving local communities while providing nationwide healthcare coverage. They have affiliated plans in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and their BlueCard provider network allows members to access healthcare services across the country. BCBS also offers international health insurance products for individuals and businesses worldwide.
In addition to its comprehensive coverage, BCBS provides members with exclusive discounts on health and wellness products and services through Blue365®. BCBS is dedicated to empowering working Americans with health coverage, serving more than 17 million unionized workers, retirees, and their families. With over 115 million members, BCBS is committed to opening doors and providing peace of mind to people across the United States.
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The Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program is the top choice for federal employees
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (BCBS FEP) is a top choice for federal employees, retirees, and their families. The program has been offering health insurance coverage to federal employees since 1960 and currently covers around 5.7 million federal employees, retirees, and their families.
BCBS FEP provides comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as enhanced benefits for hypertension management, pregnancy care, and breast pump kits. The program also offers international travel insurance through GeoBlue, which provides access to a worldwide network of quality healthcare providers and hospitals in over 190 countries.
In addition to the wide range of coverage options, BCBS FEP offers convenient tools and resources to help members manage their health and wellness. The MyBlue and AskBlue FEP Medical Plan Finder tools allow members to easily access information about their benefits, find in-network providers, and compare plans. The fepblue app further enables members to view and share their member ID cards, access over 55,000 preferred pharmacies in the US, and locate urgent care centers while travelling.
BCBS FEP is committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of its members. During Mental Health Month, the program emphasizes the importance of mental health and encourages members to make small changes for their mental well-being, such as regular exercise and adequate sleep. BCBS FEP also offers programs and care options to support members' mental health journeys.
With its extensive coverage options, enhanced benefits, and focus on member experience and mental well-being, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program is a top choice for federal employees and their families, providing peace of mind and accessible, quality healthcare.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield offers international healthcare coverage
Blue Cross Blue Shield provides international healthcare coverage for individuals and businesses worldwide. This includes international healthcare products for employers, individuals, and students, catering to short-term travellers and long-term expatriates.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Global™ offers medical assistance services, doctors, and hospitals in most countries around the world. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is made up of 35 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield companies. Their international coverage is delivered through GeoBlue and Bupa Global.
GeoBlue offers a range of travel medical insurance plans, including single and multiple trips, as well as long-term international health plans for expatriates. These plans can be purchased as primary insurance for expats or individuals relocating to another country for an extended period. GeoBlue also provides medical evacuation coverage, which can be crucial in emergency situations.
Bupa Global, on the other hand, provides worldwide healthcare solutions for non-U.S.-based individuals and groups. Their focus is on improving the health and well-being of people globally, helping them live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
Blue Cross Blue Shield's international healthcare coverage gives members confidence in accessing quality care wherever and whenever they need it. Their expanded portfolio of international solutions ensures that individuals and businesses can meet their unique needs, whether residing inside or outside the U.S.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield offers health, dental, and vision insurance
Blue Cross Blue Shield provides health, dental, and vision insurance to its members. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is made up of 35 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield companies. They provide a comprehensive suite of international products and services, giving their members access to quality care worldwide.
Health Insurance
Blue Cross Blue Shield offers health insurance plans for individuals, families, and employers. They also provide international healthcare coverage for employers, individuals, and students, catering to the unique needs of those who travel or reside outside the U.S. Their international coverage includes access to medical assistance services, doctors, and hospitals in most countries.
Dental Insurance
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, for example, offers Dental Blue® for Individuals plans, which include preventive services and savings on basic and major dental services. Their dental plans cover preventive, basic, and major services, with benefits available both in-network and out-of-network.
Vision Insurance
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) offer vision plans that help members save on eye care costs. These plans provide discounts on eye exams, lenses, lens treatments, and contact lenses. BCBSNM vision plans have large provider networks, allowing members to access in-network care at various locations.
Blue Cross Blue Shield's insurance plans provide comprehensive coverage for health, dental, and vision needs, ensuring that their members can maintain their overall health and well-being. With a wide range of options, members can choose the plans that best suit their individual or family requirements.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida is ranked among the best health insurance companies
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, also known as Florida Blue, is ranked among the best health insurance companies in Insure.com's 2024 list, earning 3.3 out of 5 stars. It is the only insurer with an A+ rating from AM Best, indicating financial stability. The National Committee for Quality Assurance also gave it 3 out of 5 stars.
Florida Blue is the state's Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, serving more than 5 million healthcare members across Florida. It offers a range of individual and family plans, Medicare, and employer plans. It has a large provider network throughout Florida and nationwide access to healthcare through the Blue Cross Blue Shield umbrella.
Florida Blue is also ranked among the top 50 large employers in the US by Forbes, coming in at number 44. It is the top-ranked health insurer in Florida and the second-highest-ranked company headquartered in the state.
Blue Cross Blue Shield companies provide international products and services for people who live, work, and travel globally, offering confidence that quality care can be accessed whenever and wherever needed. They have a broad portfolio of international health insurance products to meet the unique needs of globally mobile individuals and businesses.
In conclusion, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida is indeed ranked among the best health insurance companies, with strong financial stability, a wide range of plan offerings, and a large provider network. Their commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and accommodation, as well as their focus on increasing access to affordable care, have contributed to their positive reputation.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue Cross Blue Shield provides health insurance to more than 115 million people in the United States.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is made up of 33 to 35 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield companies.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program is a health plan for U.S. federal government employees and retirees, with over 5 million members.
Blue Cross Blue Shield companies provide healthcare coverage, including hospital services and physicians' services. They also offer international health insurance products for people who live, work, or travel globally.