Orlando Harmon
Blue Cross Blue Shield, also known as BCBS, BCBSA, or The Blues, is a United States-based federation with 33 independent and locally operated companies that provide health insurance to more than 100 million people in the U.S. across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The Blue Cross emblem was adopted in 1939 as the national emblem for plans that met certain guidelines set by the American Hospital Association (AHA). 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.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of independent and locally operated companies | 33 |
| Number of employees | 150,000+ |
| Number of people insured | 115 million+ |
| Number of hospitals in contract | 96% of all hospitals |
| Number of healthcare professionals in contract | 91% of all healthcare professionals |
| Number of Fortune 500 companies covered | 75% of all Fortune 500 companies |
| Number of Fortune 100 companies covered | 85% of all Fortune 100 companies |
| Number of National plans | 36 |
| Number of States covered | All 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico |
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What You'll Learn
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA)
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), also known as BCBS, or The Blues, is a United States-based federation with 33 independent and locally operated BCBSA companies that provide health insurance to over 100 million people in the U.S. as of 2022. It was formed in 1982 from the merger of its two predecessor organizations: Blue Cross, founded in 1929, and Blue Shield, founded in 1939. The association is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with offices in Washington, D.C., and has about 1,000 employees.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield developed separately, with Blue Cross providing coverage for hospital services and Blue Shield covering physicians' services. The two organizations merged in 1982 to form the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSA manages communications between its members and the operating policies required to be a licensee of the trademarks. This permits each BCBSA company to offer nationwide insurance coverage through its BlueCard provider network and claims reimbursement program, despite only operating in its designated service area.
BCBSA provides health care insights through The Health of America Report series and the national BCBS Health Index. They have also partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to address the youth mental health crisis through a $10 million investment. BCBSA continues to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace as they expand their operations nationally.
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. FEP enrolls over 5 million members, making it the largest insurer of federal employees and the largest single health plan group in the world. BCBSA has affiliated plans in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and licensees offering plans in several foreign countries.
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National and regional plans
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), also known as BCBSA or The Blues, is a US-based federation with 33 independent and locally operated companies that provide health insurance to over 100 million people in the US. It has affiliated plans in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
BCBS has a Federal Employee Program (FEP) that is a nationwide option under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) for US federal government employees and retirees. The FEP is the largest insurer of federal employees and the largest single health plan group in the world, with over 5 million members.
BCBS offers a range of national and regional plans. For example, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) is a non-profit healthcare organization, while Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield (ABCBS) is an independent licensee of BCBSA and the largest healthcare provider in the state. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana is also an independent licensee of BCBSA and is a privately held mutual company without shareholders, wholly owned by its policyholders.
BCBS also has a presence in specific regions, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota (BCBSMN), Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi (BCBSMS), and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska. These regional plans are tailored to meet the specific needs of the communities they serve, offering a full spectrum of healthcare coverage, including medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, and more.
Additionally, BCBS has partnered with the federal government to process Medicare claims and payments since the program's inception in 1965. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicare contractors handle a significant portion of the day-to-day work of paying Medicare claims, ensuring efficient and widespread coverage for those enrolled in Medicare plans.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP)
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. It has been part of the FEHB since its inception in 1960 and is the largest insurer of federal employees, enrolling over half of the federal workforce, with over 5 million members. The FEP is committed to providing federal employees, retirees, and their families with some of the best healthcare benefits possible. The network includes over 2 million doctors and hospitals, as well as over 55,000 retail pharmacies, and provides overseas coverage for those working or travelling outside the U.S.
The FEP offers a range of health plans to choose from, including the FEP Blue Standard and FEP Blue Basic Options, which are accredited and meet the minimum value standard for the benefits they provide. The FEP also provides access to mental health specialists and 24/7 support through Teladoc Health®, as well as telehealth services for minor injuries, mental health support, dermatology care, and more.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan is sponsored and administered by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and participating Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. The plan is underwritten by participating Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans (Local Plans) that administer the benefits in their individual localities. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association has its headquarters in Chicago and offices in Washington, D.C., with about 1,000 employees. The Blue Cross Blue Shield System, which includes the Federal Employee Program, provides healthcare coverage for more than 100 million people in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
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$69.99 $92.95
Independent licensees
Blue Cross Blue Shield, also known as BCBS, BCBSA, or The Blues, is a United States-based federation with 33 independent and locally operated BCBSA companies that provide health insurance to more than 100 million people in the U.S. as of 2022. The federation comprises the Blue Cross and Blue Shield System, the nation's oldest and largest family of health benefits companies.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) has its headquarters in Chicago and offices in Washington, D.C., with about 1,000 employees. The Member Blue Plans collectively have more than 150,000 employees nationwide, ranking the Blue System among the 20 largest employers in the United States.
The 36 independent and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, along with the BCBSA, make up the Blue Cross and Blue Shield System. These independent licensees provide healthcare coverage in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield (ABCBS), for example, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and the largest healthcare provider in the state of Arkansas. Similarly, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana is an independent licensee of the BCBSA and a privately held mutual company without shareholders, wholly owned by its policyholders.
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. With over 5 million members, FEP is the largest insurer of federal employees and the largest single health plan group in the world.
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History of Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Blue Cross and Blue Shield, also known as BCBS, BCBSA, or The Blues, is a United States-based federation with 33 independent and locally operated BCBSA companies that provide health insurance to more than 100 million people in the U.S. as of 2022. It was formed in 1982 from the merger of its two namesake organizations.
Blue Cross was founded in 1929 by Justin Ford Kimball, while he was vice president of Baylor University's healthcare 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. Faced with rampant illness and occupational hazards, Pacific Northwest loggers and miners of the early 1900s required substantial medical care to stay healthy and productive. Their employers organized plans to provide medical services for a monthly fee. In 1933, E. A. van Steenwyk, an executive with the forerunner of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, began to identify his hospital care program with a blue-colored cross design. Other groups across the country followed suit, and by 1939, the Blue Cross symbol was officially adopted by a commission of the American Hospital Association (AHA) as the national emblem for Plans that met certain guidelines.
Blue Shield emerged in 1939 when the first official Blue Shield plan was founded in California. Blue Shield was developed by employers in the lumber and mining camps of the Pacific Northwest to provide medical care by paying monthly fees to medical service bureaus composed of groups of physicians. In 1948, the symbol was informally adopted by nine plans called the Associated Medical Care Plan, and was later renamed the National Association of Blue Shield Plans.
In 1960, the AHA commission was superseded by the Blue Cross Association, which was independent of the AHA. All formal ties with the AHA were severed in 1972. In 1978, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association consolidated staff and operations. In 1982, Blue Shield merged with The Blue Cross Association to form the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBS).
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Frequently asked questions
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a federation of 33 independent and locally operated companies that provide health insurance to over 100 million people in the US.
Yes, BCBS has affiliated plans in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
BCBS offers both national and regional plans. National plans are accepted by over 91% of providers across the US, while regional plans are limited to specific geographic areas.
The FEP is a nationwide health insurance option for US federal government employees and retirees, with over 5 million members. It is the largest insurer of federal employees and the largest single health plan group in the world.
