Blue Cross Insurance: Private Or Public Option?

Blue Cross Blue Shield, also known as BCBS, is a United States-based federation with 33 independent and locally-operated companies that provide health insurance in the United States to more than 115 million people as of 2022. It was formed in 1982 from the merger of two namesake organisations: Blue Cross, founded in 1929, and Blue Shield, which emerged in 1939. Blue Cross is private insurance.

Blue Cross Blue Shield is a private insurance

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a private health insurance company. BCBS is a federation of 33 independent and locally-operated companies that provide health insurance in the United States. As of 2022, BCBS provides health insurance to more than 115 million people. The company was formed in 1982 from the merger of its two namesake organizations: Blue Cross, founded in 1929, and Blue Shield, which emerged in 1939.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield developed separately, with Blue Cross providing coverage for hospital services and Blue Shield covering physicians' services. Blue Cross was first established in 1929 by Justin Ford Kimball, while he was vice president of Baylor University's health care facilities in Dallas, Texas. The first plan guaranteed teachers 21 days of hospital care for $6 a year, and it was later extended to other employee groups in Dallas and then nationally. The American Hospital Association (AHA) adopted the Blue Cross symbol in 1939 as the emblem for plans meeting certain standards.

Blue Shield, on the other hand, was developed by employers in the lumber and mining camps of the Pacific Northwest. They paid monthly fees to medical service bureaus composed of groups of physicians to provide medical care. In 1939, the first official Blue Shield plan was founded in California. In 1948, the symbol was informally adopted by nine plans called the Associated Medical Care Plan, later renamed the National Association of Blue Shield Plans.

In 1982, Blue Shield merged with The Blue Cross Association to form the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBS). BCBS offers health insurance coverage in every U.S. state and acts as an administrator of Medicare in many states or regions. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP) is a nationwide option under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) for U.S. federal government employees and retirees.

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers international travel insurance

Blue Cross Blue Shield is a private health insurance provider. It offers a range of health insurance plans, including international travel insurance. GeoBlue is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. It provides international travel health insurance for global citizens, leisure travellers, and business travellers. GeoBlue offers both single-trip and multi-trip plans, with the latter requiring enrolment in a primary health plan.

GeoBlue's single-trip plans include the Voyager plan, which covers health and accident insurance for one international trip, and the Trekker plan, which covers multiple trips. The Xplorer plan is a long-term international health plan that covers individuals both inside and outside the US. GeoBlue also offers group plans for educational institutions and corporate expats and travellers.

GeoBlue's international travel insurance plans provide access to an elite network of providers, innovative mobile and online tools, telemedicine tools, and exceptional customer service. The plans offer 24/7 phone, web, mobile, and telemedicine support, prompt and convenient access to trusted doctors and hospitals, appointment scheduling support, and paperless claims resolution.

In addition to health and accident insurance, GeoBlue's plans can also include medical evacuation coverage, which can be crucial in the event of a medical emergency while travelling internationally. GeoBlue administers and pays covered claims upfront, providing peace of mind and assurance that you will receive the necessary medical care and assistance when travelling abroad.

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers Medicare

Blue Cross Blue Shield is a private health insurance company. It offers a range of health insurance plans, including individual and family plans, as well as Medicare and Medicaid.

Medicare is a federal health insurance programme available for eligible individuals aged 65 and over, or individuals under 65 with certain disabilities or medical conditions. Blue Cross Blue Shield offers Medicare plans for those who qualify, including Dual Medicare Advantage plans, which may include an allowance for groceries, a $0 monthly premium, and $0 prescription drug copays.

Blue Cross Blue Shield has been a trusted provider for over 90 years and is the Medicare coverage trusted by more doctors. The company offers Medicare plans through local BCBS companies, and members can explore their plan options by entering their zip code on the BCBS website.

In addition to Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield also offers a range of other health insurance plans to meet the needs of individuals and families. These include individual and family health plans, small business plans, and group insurance plans for businesses of any size. BCBS members also have access to exclusive discounts on health and wellness products and services, as well as global coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield Global for those who live, work, and travel internationally.

With a large network of trusted doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies, Blue Cross Blue Shield provides comprehensive health insurance coverage for its members. The company is committed to making healthcare insurance easy, affordable, and attainable for all.

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers individual and family health plans

Blue Cross Blue Shield is a private health insurance provider that offers individual and family health plans. With over 90 years of experience, BCBS is a trusted provider that has been catering to families across the country.

The company offers a range of health insurance options, including individual and family plans, to meet the unique needs of its customers. These plans are designed to support every aspect of an individual's or family's health, including medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, and mental health needs.

For those seeking individual coverage, BCBS offers plans that cater to specific needs. This means that individuals are responsible for meeting their deductibles before their insurance starts paying for a portion of their healthcare costs. On the other hand, family health coverage offered by BCBS covers two or more people, such as a spouse or children under the age of 26. Family coverage has individual deductibles within the family deductible, allowing for flexibility and comprehensive protection for families.

BCBS also provides exclusive discounts on health and wellness products and services for its members. Additionally, for those who live, work, and travel internationally, Blue Cross Blue Shield Global™ offers a full range of healthcare coverage solutions.

The company is committed to making healthcare insurance easy, affordable, and attainable for all. With their experience and dedication to customer satisfaction, BCBS helps individuals and families find the right health insurance plan to suit their unique needs and budgets.

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers virtual care options

Blue Cross Blue Shield is a private health insurance company that has been providing trusted coverage for over 90 years. They are committed to making healthcare insurance easy, affordable, and attainable for all. Blue Cross Blue Shield offers a range of virtual care options to their members, including:

Teladoc

With Teladoc, members can talk to a doctor within minutes by phone or video 24/7, even after hours and on weekends. This service is ideal for non-emergency issues, and members can elect to send the results to their primary care doctor. Teladoc typically costs less than an urgent care centre or emergency room visit, with a copay of less than $10 for members with individual or family plans.

MySanitas Chat

Florida Blue members who are patients at Sanitas Medical Centers can use mySanitas Chat on their computer or mobile devices. This service is for non-emergency situations and is available every day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. with a $0 copay.

EConsult with Specialists

Primary care providers (PCPs) can engage quality specialists across the nation to determine a treatment plan without the member having to leave their doctor's care. eConsults save time, cost, and stress for the member, providing clear direction on their treatment without needing to visit a specialist in person.

Remote Health Tracking

Florida Blue or the member's provider may suggest using a device to track aspects of their health, such as weight scales, blood pressure monitors, or blood glucose meters. This allows members to receive ongoing results and provides data to enhance dialogue with providers and case managers regarding their health condition and progress.

Blue Cross Blue Shield's virtual care options bring quality healthcare right to the member's home, providing convenience and social distancing without sacrificing timely treatment.

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