Alyssa Lane
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a United States-based federation of 33 independent and locally operated companies that provide health insurance to more than 115 million people in the US. It was formed in 1982 from the merger of two organisations: Blue Cross, founded in 1929, and Blue Shield, which emerged in 1939. BCBS has headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, and its insurance plans are available in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program is a popular choice for US federal employees, retirees, and their families.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founding | Blue Cross was founded in 1929, Blue Shield in 1939, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) was formed in 1982 from the merger of the two namesake organizations. Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield was founded in 1948, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming in 1945. |
| Headquarters | The BCBSA is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. BlueCross BlueShield of Rhode Island is headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. |
| Structure | The BCBSA is a national association of 33 independent, community-based and locally operated BCBS companies. |
| Reach | As of 2022, the BCBSA and its companies provide health insurance to more than 115 million people in the U.S. and have affiliated plans in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The association also has licensees offering plans in several foreign countries. |
| Trademarks and Licensing | The BCBSA owns and manages the BCBS trademarks and names in over 170 countries and grants licenses to independent companies to use them in exclusive geographic areas. |
| Employee Program | The Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program is the top choice of U.S. federal employees, retirees, and their families. |
| Global Presence | Blue Cross Blue Shield Global provides healthcare coverage solutions for people who live, work, and travel internationally. |
| Criticism | Some nonprofit members of the BCBSA have been criticized for holding excessive amounts of cash or providing excessive executive compensation. |
| Services | Blue Cross Blue Shield offers a range of health insurance options, including medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, life, and disability plans. |
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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 of 33 independent and locally operated companies that provide health insurance. As of 2022, BCBSA provides health insurance to over 115 million people in the US. The association was formed in 1982 from the merger of its two namesake organisations: Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
Blue Cross was founded in 1929 by Justin Ford Kimball, who was vice president of Baylor University's healthcare facilities in Dallas, Texas. The first Blue Cross 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 Cross became the Blue Cross Association in 1960, and severed its ties with the American Hospital Association (AHA) in 1972.
Blue Shield emerged in 1939 when it was adopted by the AHA as the emblem for plans meeting certain standards. Blue Shield was developed by employers in the mining and lumber camps of the Pacific Northwest to provide medical care by paying monthly fees to medical service bureaus composed of groups of physicians. The Blue Shield Association was created in 1948.
BCBSA owns and manages the Blue Cross and Blue Shield trademarks and names in over 170 countries, and grants licenses to independent companies to use the trademarks and names in exclusive geographic areas. BCBSA has affiliated plans in all 50 US states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and licensees offering plans in several foreign countries. BCBSA's health insurance plans cover dental, vision, medical, pharmacy, life, and disability.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a federation of 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, founded in 1939.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP) is the top choice of US federal employees, retirees, and their families. The FEP is a health insurance program that offers comprehensive coverage, including prescription drug coverage, mental health services, and access to a variety of healthcare providers.
The FEP is sponsored and administered by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and participating Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. All federal employees, tribal employees, and annuitants who are eligible to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) can enroll in the FEP. The FEHB is authorized by the Federal Employees Health Benefits law, and the FEP is underwritten by participating Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans (Local Plans) that administer the program in their individual localities.
The FEP offers two main plan options: FEP Blue Standard and FEP Blue Basic. These plans provide coverage for a wide range of healthcare services, including prescription drugs, mental health services, and postal service health benefits. The FEP is committed to providing accessible and affordable healthcare to federal employees and their families, with a focus on both physical and mental well-being. Members can expect to receive a member ID card and have access to a variety of resources and support to help them understand their coverage and make the most of their benefits.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield Global
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a United States-based federation of 33 independent and locally operated companies that provide health insurance to over 115 million people in the US. BCBS was formed in 1982 from the merger of its two predecessor organizations: Blue Cross, founded in 1929, and Blue Shield, founded in 1939.
For US-based individuals and entities, BCBSGlobal offers peace of mind by ensuring access to the care they need, when they need it, wherever they are in the world. This includes employers, non-profits, universities, and individuals. BCBSGlobal provides centralized tools and leading digital solutions to simplify the international healthcare experience.
For non-US-based individuals and groups, BCBSGlobal provides worldwide healthcare solutions aimed at improving health and wellbeing. BCBSGlobal, in collaboration with Bupa Global, strives to help people live longer, healthier, and happier lives by engaging them in their health journey wherever they may be.
Additionally, GeoBlue, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, offers international travel health insurance plans. GeoBlue provides global coverage and high-tech, high-touch service, enhancing the overall international healthcare experience for BCBS members. It is important to note that while GeoBlue is a licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, purchasing a GeoBlue plan does not require enrolment in a Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield medical plan.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield History
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a United States-based federation of 33 independent and locally operated companies that provide health insurance to more than 115 million people in the US. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) claims to control access to the trademarks and names of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which it then licenses to affiliated companies for specific, exclusive geographic service areas.
Blue Cross was founded in 1929 by Justin Ford Kimball, who was vice president of Baylor University's healthcare facilities in Dallas, Texas, at the time. 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. Blue Cross became the Blue Cross Association in 1960 and severed its ties with the American Hospital Association (AHA) in 1972.
Blue Shield emerged in 1939 when the AHA adopted the Blue Cross symbol as the emblem for plans that met certain standards. Blue Shield was developed by employers in the mining and lumber camps of the Pacific Northwest, who paid monthly fees to medical service bureaus composed of physician groups. The Blue Shield Association was created in 1948.
In 1982, the Blue Cross Association and the Blue Shield Association merged to form the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. BCBSA has affiliated plans in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and licensees offering plans in several foreign countries.
Some notable independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association include:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, founded in 1939 and headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming (BCBSWY), a non-profit founded in 1945
- Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield (ABCBS), founded in 1948 and the largest healthcare provider in the state
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS), founded in 1942 and later became an independent licensee
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, a tax-paying non-profit founded in 1934 in New Orleans
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Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Insurance Plans
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a United States-based federation of 33 independent and locally operated companies that provide health insurance to more than 115 million people in the US. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) was formed in 1982 from the merger of its two namesake organisations: Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Blue Cross was founded in 1929 and became the Blue Cross Association in 1960, and Blue Shield emerged in 1939, with the Blue Shield Association created in 1948.
BCBSA owns and manages the BCBS trademarks and names in over 170 countries, and grants licenses to independent companies to use these trademarks and names in exclusive geographic areas. BCBS has affiliated plans in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and licensees offering plans in several foreign countries.
BCBS offers a range of health insurance options, including medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, life, and disability plans. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program is the top choice of US federal employees, retirees, and their families. BCBS Global provides healthcare coverage for people who live, work, and travel internationally. BCBS also offers flexible group insurance plans for businesses of any size.
BCBS of Texas is the state's only statewide, customer-owned health insurer, serving over 10.4 million members in all 254 counties across the state. Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield is the largest healthcare provider in Arkansas, donating $1.98 million to The Walton College of Business to found its Robert L. Shoptaw Master of Healthcare Business Analytics Program. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming is a non-profit founded in 1945.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a federation of 33 independent, community-based, and locally operated companies that provide health insurance to over 115 million people in the US.
Blue Cross was founded in 1929 by Justin Ford Kimball and became the Blue Cross Association in 1960. Blue Shield emerged in 1939 and the Blue Shield Association was created in 1948. The two organizations merged in 1982 to form the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
Blue Cross Blue Shield offers a range of health insurance options, including medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, life, and disability plans. They also provide international healthcare coverage solutions for individuals who live, work, and travel globally.
