BlueCross BlueShield Association, also known as the Blues, BCBS, or BCBSA, is a popular United States-based organization fed by about 34 locally operated and independent companies. These companies offer health insurance to more than 100 million people in the United States.In other words, BlueCross BlueShield is a network of independently operated health insurance companies that work together under the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
Established to provide affordable healthcare coverage, the insurance companies offer a range of health insurance plans tailored to meet the diverse needs of individuals and families across the United States. With a focus on promoting health and well-being, Blue Cross Blue Shield strives to ensure access to quality healthcare services for all its members.
More about BlueCross BlueShield
Blue Cross Blue Shield plays a big role in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. Here, you can check out different plans if you don’t have a job-based health insurance option. They offer various plan types, including preferred provider organization (PPO) plans. These aren’t as common as others like health maintenance organization (HMO) and exclusive provider organization (EPO) plans.
Their plans come in different tiers—bronze, silver, gold, and platinum—with platinum plans having lower out-of-pocket costs but higher premiums. Though they’re not always easy to find, Members of certain BlueCross BlueShield plans can enjoy free health and wellness discounts through Blue365. This covers fitness products, hearing and vision, and even meal boxes. Plus, they offer access to doctors and hospitals in over 200 countries worldwide with Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core.
BlueCross BlueShield Health Insurance Companies
Health plans are provided by various Blue Cross Blue Shield companies in each state of the country. States even have more than one of the companies.
- Alabama: Alabama’s Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Alaska: Alaska’s Premera Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Arizona: Arizona’s Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Arkansas: Blue Cross and Blue Shield Arkansas
- California: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Colorado: Colorado Anthem, Blue Cross, and Blue Shield
- Connecticut: Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Delaware: Delaware Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
- District of Columbia: CareFirst’s BlueCross BlueShield
- Florida: Florida Blue and BlueCross BlueShield
- Georgia: Anthem BlueCross BlueShield
- Hawaii: BlueCross Blue Shield
- Iowa: Well, Mark’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Kansas: Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Kentucky: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Louisiana: Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Maine: Maine Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Maryland: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Massachusetts: Massachusetts Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Michigan: Michigan’s Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Minnesota: BlueCross and BlueShield of Minnesota
- Mississippi: Mississippi Blue Cross & Blue Shield
- Missouri: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Montana: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana
- Nebraska: Nebraska Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Nevada: Anthem, Blue Cross, and Blue Shield Nevada
- New Jersey: New Jersey’s Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- New Mexico: New Mexico’s Blue Cross Blue Shield
- New York: more than one company
- North Carolina: North Carolina’s BlueCross BlueShield
- North Dakota: Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Ohio: Anthem BlueCross and BlueShield
- Oklahoma: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania: Capital BlueCross, Highmark BlueShield, Highmark’s Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Independence BlueCross
- Rhode Island: Rhode Island’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- South Carolina: South Carolina’s Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Tennessee: BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
- Texas: Texas BlueCross BlueShield
- Vermont: Vermont’s Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Virginia: Virginia’s Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Washington: BlueCross and Regence BlueShield
- West Virginia: West Virginia‘s Highmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Wisconsin: Anthem Wisconsin’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Wyoming: Wyoming’s Blue Cross Blue Shield
Health Insurance plans offered by BlueCross BlueShield
Blue Cross Blue Shield provides health insurance for both groups and individuals, including Medicare Advantage plans. Additionally, GeoBlue, affiliated with Blue Cross Blue Shield, offers health insurance for international travelers and Americans residing abroad. This insurer offers three plans on the ACA marketplace. And they are.
- HMO: The health maintenance organization plans only cover network care provided by the network providers. They also require members to name the primary care provider to inspect care and get referrals for specialists.
- EPO: The Exclusive Provider Organization Plans require members to get in-network cars. But unlike the HMO, the EPO does not always require a referral to see specialists.
- PPO: preferred provider Organization plans are more flexible. However, it comes at a much higher health insurance premium than EPOs and HMOs. These PPO plans enable members to get out-of-network care. Out-of-network care is more expensive than getting care from network providers. They also do not demand referrals to see a specialist.
Blue Cross Blue Shield offers additional perks like MyBlue, an online platform for members to access their coverage details, locate in-network healthcare providers, manage claims, and even request reimbursements for fitness and weight-loss programs. Moreover, Blue365 provides member discounts on various health and wellness services, including fitness, financial health, personal care, and lifestyle offerings.
How Much Does It Cost?
Just so you know, the cost of these plans typically increases with age. The average cost of health insurance plans is $506 per month for a 30-year-old with an ACA market plan.
ACA Marketplace health insurance plans come in different tiers—bronze, silver, gold, and platinum—depending on their costs. Bronze and silver plans typically have lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket expenses when you use healthcare services. On the other hand, the gold and platinum plans have higher premiums but lower out-of-pocket costs. Bronze and silver plans are more common, while platinum plans are less common.
How can I purchase Health Insurance Plans?
To purchase and check out the company plan, you can visit the website. Here, you can shop for insurance, access your benefits, and learn more about the plans. You can also find a doctor closer to your location and chat with customer service. There’s so much to find out on the official website today. There, you can find the right health insurance option for you, your family, or your business. All you need to do is provide your zip code.