Alyssa Lane
Blue Cross Blue Shield is a United States-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 two namesake organisations: Blue Cross, founded in 1929, and Blue Shield, which emerged in 1939. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, and North Carolina are some of its independent licensees. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP) is a nationwide option under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) for US federal government employees and retirees.
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What You'll Learn
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA)
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, also referred to as BCBS, BCBSA, or The Blues, 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 through the merger of its two predecessor organizations: Blue Cross, founded in 1929, and Blue Shield, which emerged in 1939.
Blue Cross was initially developed by Justin Ford Kimball in 1929 while he was vice president of Baylor University's healthcare facilities in Dallas, Texas. The first plan offered by Blue Cross 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. In 1939, the American Hospital Association (AHA) adopted the Blue Cross symbol as the emblem for plans meeting specific standards. Blue Cross operated under the AHA until 1960, when the AHA commission was superseded by the Blue Cross Association. Blue Cross severed ties with the AHA in 1972.
Blue Shield, on the other hand, was created by employers in the lumber and mining camps of the Pacific Northwest. It provided medical care by allowing employees to pay monthly fees to medical service bureaus composed of physician groups. The Blue Shield Association was formed in 1948.
Today, the BCBSA has affiliated plans in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and licensees offering plans in several foreign countries. It also participates in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP), which is the largest insurer of federal employees and the largest single health plan group worldwide.
The BCBSA claims control over the Blue Cross and Blue Shield trademarks and names in the US and over 170 other countries, which it then licenses to affiliated companies for specific, exclusive geographic service areas. BCBSA offers a wide range of health insurance options, including flexible group insurance plans for businesses, and its online member accounts make it convenient for members to manage their health plans.
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Health insurance in the US
Health insurance in the United States is a complex topic. Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a well-known entity within the US health insurance landscape. It is a federation of 33 independent and locally operated companies that provide health insurance to over 115 million people in the US. BCBS companies operate in designated service areas and offer nationwide insurance coverage through the BlueCard provider network.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) was formed in 1982 from the merger of its two predecessor 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.
Today, BCBSA companies offer a range of health insurance plans and services to meet the diverse needs of their members. For example, Blue Cross NC, a BCBSA company in North Carolina, offers high-quality health insurance at competitive prices and is committed to addressing pressing health challenges in the state, such as youth mental health issues and food security.
Another example is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA), which has developed the Alternative Quality Contract, rewarding clinicians and hospitals for delivering high-quality, high-value patient care. More than 80% of Massachusetts doctors and hospitals participate in this contract.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP) is also worth mentioning. It is a nationwide option under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) for US 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.
In summary, Blue Cross Blue Shield plays a significant role in the US health insurance industry, providing coverage to a large portion of the population through its network of independent companies. BCBSA companies strive to meet the diverse needs of their members and contribute to improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare in the United States.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ)
Blue Cross is the name used by an association of health insurance plans throughout the United States. It was developed by Justin Ford Kimball in 1929 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.
BCBSAZ is part of the BlueCard provider network, which allows its members to offer nationwide insurance coverage even though it only operates in its designated service area of Arizona. In Arizona, 96% of physicians and 98% of hospitals are included in the statewide provider network. Over 1.6 million individuals, families, and employers use services or products from BCBSAZ.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP) is a nationwide option under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) for US 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.
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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS)
Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) is a federation based in the United States with 33 independent and locally operated companies that provide health insurance to over 115 million people in the US. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) was founded in 1942 by Sam Bartham and is one of these independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. BCBSKS offers health and dental insurance plans for individuals, families, and employers located in Kansas. It serves all counties in Kansas except Johnson and Wyandotte.
BCBSKS is a financially secure company that contributes to the Kansas economy in several ways. The company's headquarters are located in Topeka, Kansas, and it surpasses $1 billion in annual claims payments to healthcare providers and members. It also contributes more than $140 million annually to the economy through payroll and taxes. BCBSKS has nearly 1,400 employees working in various office locations in Topeka and about 110 employees in offices in other cities across Kansas.
The day-to-day operations of BCBSKS are directed by a nine-person steering committee under the guidance of the company's president/CEO. Customers and healthcare professionals have a voice in company activities through advisory and liaison committees, focus groups, and surveys. BCBSKS is a member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, which is headquartered in Chicago.
BCBSKS offers a range of insurance options, including Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplement, and prescription drug (Part D) plans. They also offer group retiree plans and customizable short- or long-term health plans for individuals who will be living or traveling abroad. BCBSKS has a customer service team ready to assist customers when needed.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota (BCBSMN)
BCBSA is a United States-based federation with 33 independent and locally operated companies providing health insurance to over 115 million people in the US. It was formed in 1982 from the merger of its two predecessor 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 Blue Shield of Minnesota has been involved in anti-smoking efforts for over half a century, which is a point of state pride. This work includes continuing to help reduce tobacco use and support healthy communities.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP) is a nationwide option under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) for US federal government employees and retirees. FEP is the largest insurer of federal employees and the largest single health plan group in the world, with over 5 million members.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue Cross is a name used by an association of health insurance plans throughout the United States.
BCBSA is a federation with 33 independent 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, who was vice president of Baylor University's healthcare facilities in Dallas, Texas. The first plan offered 21 days of hospital care for $6 a year to teachers, and was later extended to other employee groups in Dallas, and then nationally.
FEP is a nationwide option under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) for US federal government employees and retirees. It enrolls over 5 million members, making it the largest insurer of federal employees and the largest single health plan group in the world.
Blue Cross NC is a not-for-profit health insurer operating in North Carolina. It offers high-quality health insurance at competitive prices and has 12 locations throughout the state.
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