Jane Dotson
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), also known as the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) or The Blues, is a federation of 33 independent and locally operated companies that provide health insurance to more than 115 million people in the United States. BCBS offers a range of health insurance plans, including Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, with various pros and cons such as cost and coverage. The association was formed in 1982 from the merger of its two namesake organizations, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which developed separately with Blue Cross providing coverage for hospital services and Blue Shield covering physicians' services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Blue Cross Blue Shield |
| Type | Private insurer |
| Year of Operation | Since 1929 |
| Number of Beneficiaries | 115-118 million |
| Number of Companies | 33 |
| Service Area | All 50 states in the US, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and some foreign countries |
| Headquarters | Aon Center at 200 E. Randolph Street in Chicago, Illinois |
| Website | bcbs.com |
| Plans | Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, Part D plans, and BlueCard |
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What You'll Learn
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) is a federation of 33 independent companies
- BCBS provides health insurance to over 115 million people in the US
- BCBS offers Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans with extra benefits like vision, dental, or hearing insurance
- BCBS has a BlueCard program that allows beneficiaries to access coverage anywhere in the US
- BCBS companies offer insurance plans within defined regions under the association's brands
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) is a federation of 33 independent companies
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 companies. These companies provide health insurance to more than 100 million people in the US. The association was formed in 1982 from the merger of its two namesake organisations: 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 is a name used by an association of health insurance plans throughout the US. Its predecessor was developed by Justin Ford Kimball in 1929 when 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 was later extended to other employee groups in Dallas and then nationally.
Blue Shield emerged in 1939 and the Blue Shield Association was created in 1948. BCBSA claims to control access to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield trademarks and names across the United States and in more than 170 other countries. It then licenses these to the affiliated companies for specific, exclusive geographic service areas. 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.
BCBS companies often have "Blue Cross Blue Shield" in their name or a slight variation. Examples include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota.
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BCBS provides health insurance to over 115 million people in the US
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a private insurer that offers Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. It is an association of 33 companies and licensees that provide health insurance to over 115 million people in the US. BCBS has operated since 1929 when its predecessor was developed 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.
BCBS offers a range of health insurance options, including Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, in every state, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The association is made up of independent and locally operated companies, each offering insurance plans within their designated service areas. These companies often have \"Blue Cross Blue Shield\" in their name or a slight variation. For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) is a non-profit healthcare organization, while Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield (ABCBS) is the largest healthcare provider in the state.
BCBS companies manage communications between their members and the operating policies required to be a licensee of the trademarks. This permits each BCBS company to offer nationwide insurance coverage through its BlueCard provider network and claims reimbursement program, even though it operates only in its designated service area. BCBS also acts as an administrator of Medicare in many states or regions of the US.
The BlueCard program allows beneficiaries to access coverage anywhere in the country, with treatment charged at local rates. BCBS partners with 2 million healthcare professionals, and its plans vary in cost and coverage depending on the company, coverage level, and plan type.
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BCBS offers Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans with extra benefits like vision, dental, or hearing insurance
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a United States-based federation with 33 independent and locally operated companies that provide health insurance to more than 115 million people in the US. BCBS companies have been operating for more than 90 years, putting members first, which is why most doctors trust them for Medicare coverage.
BCBS offers Medicare Advantage Part C plans that provide all Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, while generally including some additional services. These services include wellness programs, hearing aids, and vision services. Medicare Advantage plans may also include prescription drug coverage, depending on the plan selected. These plans can be HMOs, PPOs, Regional PPOs, or Private Fee-for-Service plans.
BCBS Medicare Advantage plans have a broad network of physicians and hospitals where you can receive care. These plans can help you manage or limit your out-of-pocket expenses, as they generally have lower cost-sharing and an annual out-of-pocket maximum. Additionally, these plans offer broad coverage and will cover urgent and emergency services anywhere in the country.
To find out more about BCBS Medicare Advantage plans and their extra benefits, such as vision, dental, or hearing insurance, you can visit the BCBS website or contact your local BCBS company. You can also enter your ZIP Code on the website to find Medicare coverage options that fit your needs.
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BCBS has a BlueCard program that allows beneficiaries to access coverage anywhere in the US
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, also known as BCBS, is a US-based federation with 33 independent and locally operated companies that provide health insurance to over 115 million people in the US. It was formed in 1982 from the merger of its two namesake organizations: Blue Cross, founded in 1929, and Blue Shield, which emerged in 1939.
The BlueCard program is available to all BCBS members and can be used to identify members, obtain pre-certification/preauthorization, and submit claims electronically for faster service. For example, to identify a BlueCard member, one can call the Blue Card Eligibility line or submit an electronic eligibility and benefits inquiry through the Availity Provider Portal.
BCBS's BlueCard program ensures that members can access their health insurance benefits no matter where they are in the US, providing peace of mind and convenience for those who travel or live in multiple locations. This program is particularly useful for those who frequently travel for work or leisure, as it guarantees access to necessary healthcare services across the country.
Overall, the BlueCard program is an important feature of BCBS's health insurance offerings, providing members with nationwide coverage and easy access to their benefits. By participating in this program, members can ensure they receive the healthcare they need while away from their primary service area.
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BCBS companies offer insurance plans within defined regions under the association's brands
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is an association of 33 insurance companies in the United States that offer health insurance coverage in every state. BCBS companies are licensees, independent of the association and each other, offering insurance plans within defined regions under one or both of the association's brands.
BCBS companies often have "Blue Cross Blue Shield" in their name or a slight variation. For example, 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 the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and the largest healthcare provider in the state.
BCBS companies provide health insurance to more than 115 million people in the U.S. as of 2022. They also act as administrators of Medicare in many states or regions of the country. BCBS offers a range of health insurance plans, including Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, which offer the same coverage as Original Medicare (Parts A and B) with additional benefits like vision, dental, or hearing insurance.
BCBS also offers a BlueCard program that allows beneficiaries to access coverage anywhere in the country, with treatment charged at local rates. This program manages communications between its members and the operating policies required to be a licensee of the trademarks. This permits each BCBS company to offer nationwide insurance coverage through its BlueCard provider network, even though it operates only in its designated service area.
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Frequently asked questions
BCBS is short for Blue Cross Blue Shield, a federation of 33 independent and locally operated companies that provide health insurance to over 115 million people in the US.
Blue Cross is the name used by an association of health insurance plans throughout the US. Its predecessor was developed by Justin Ford Kimball in 1929 when he was vice president of Baylor University's healthcare facilities in Dallas, Texas.
Blue Shield emerged in 1939 and was separate from Blue Cross, which provided coverage for hospital services, while Blue Shield covered physicians' services.
Some examples of BCBS companies include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana.
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