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Anthem vs. HCSC Insurance
Which health insurance company is the best option for you and your family? Compare Anthem and HCSC side by side.
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 Written & Edited by Fran Majidi Fran MajidiFran Majidi manages content on SmartFinancial's website. She's had nearly a decade's worth of experience writing about i... Read more |
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Anthem vs. HCSC: What You Need to Know
In 2004, WellPoint Health Networks Inc and Anthem, Inc. merged and became the nation’s leading health benefits company. In December 2014 WellPoint Inc. changed its corporate name to Anthem, Inc. The Anthem companies offer health care plans and related services like dental, vision, behavioral health, life insurance and disability insurance benefits as well as long-term care insurance and flexible spending accounts. Anthem has about 40 million members and is ranked 33rd on the Fortune 500.
Health Care Service Corporation began with the first hospital care prepayment plan which was developed by Justin Ford Kimball, a vice president at the Baylor University School of Medicine in Texas. He as well as health care professionals and officials met during the Great Depression to solve the problem of affordable health care. In 1936, they launched the Chicago Plan for Hospital Care by pooling their resources, creating the first insurance policy effective January 21, 1937. The company grew quickly, enrolling 36,000 members in its first six months. It adopted the Blue Cross symbol in 1939 and the Blue Shield symbol in 1947.
To learn more about each company, you can check out the Anthem Overview and HCSC Overview.
What is Anthem and HCSC Insurance Rating?
Which health insurance company is better? We've made it easy to compare companies side by side. See how Anthem and HCSC ranked among the industry ratings.
| Comparison | Anthem | HCSC |
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2004 | 1929 |
| Medicare Star Rating | 3 stars (out of 5) | |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 0.30% for individual health insurance | 0.40% for individual health |
| Market Share Percentage | 6.3% | |
| Financial Strength | Excellent |
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Pros & Cons of Anthem or HCSC
Pros
Anthem
- Anthem Inc. is one of the largest providers of health insurance plans in the country, serving approximately 40 million members
- Anthem Inc. is a financially secure health insurance carrier.
HCSC
- Affordable marketplace plans with different tiers of coverage.
Cons
Anthem
- Anthem received some bad press in 2014, for refusing to cover the hospitalization of a man with stage 4 cancers. Anthem ended up paying for coverage after public outcry.
- In 2017, Anthem was fined for untimely responses to complaints.
HCSC
- HCSC only operates in 5 states: Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
Anthem and HCSC Mobile Apps Options
The Anthem Medicaid app is only available to policyholders in 5 states. Indiana, Kentucky, Nevada, Wisconsin and Virginia. The app allows users to find doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies, view claims, pay your bill, and manage your prescriptions.
Each state has its own HCSC / Blue Cross Blue Shield app on iTunes and GooglePlay. The app allows users to find doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies, view claims, pay bill, and manage prescriptions.
| Anthem Mobile App | ||
|---|---|---|
| iOS | 2.2 | 42 users |
| Android | 2.9 | 101 users |
| HCSC Mobile App | ||
|---|---|---|
| HCSC mobile app varies by State | ||
Anthem and HCSC Enrollment Process
Anthem
Anthem is available through the health insurance marketplace or you can get several free quotes here. Each state has their own marketplace. If you’re not sure where to begin, visit https://www.healthcare.gov/.
HCSC
HCSC offers plans through the health insurance marketplace. You can begin searching plans here or you can get several free health insurance quotes here.
Each state has their own marketplace. If you’re not sure where to begin, visit https://www.healthcare.gov/. Remember that HCSC only operates in 5 states: Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Ohklahoma and Texas.
How to File a Claim with Anthem and HCSC Insurance
Anthem
Make sure you use the claim form from your benefit plan because each type is different. You’ll need to get procedures codes from your doctor’s office. File the paperwork within the time limit. Include pre-approval if it’s needed.
HCSC
To submit electronic claims, you or your billing agent need to use a third-party claims clearinghouse vendor, like Availity. For paper claims, you need to complete the right claim forms.
Common Questions About HCSC and Anthem Insurance
Anthem
What states are covered by Anthem Insurance?
Anthem, Inc. serves members in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin; and specialty plan members in other states.
Is Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield a PPO or HMO?
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield offers both PPO and HMO plans.
What can I buy with my Anthem Over-the-Counter (OTC) card?
Using the card, you will be able to buy over-the-counter medication, insect repellent, diabetic supplies, first-aid supplies and other health-related products.
How many members does Anthem have?
Anthem Inc. has about 40 million members and is ranked #33 on the Fortune 500.
HCSC
Is HCSC a good health insurance company?
HCSC is one of the oldest health insurance companies. They invented the prepaid hospital care plan. Today, they are one of the largest companies. They have a relatively low complaint ratio, which means that members are probably satisfied with claims processes and service.
Is HCSC and Blue Cross Blue Shield the same?
BCBS stands for Blue Cross Blue Shield, which is a federation of 36 separate health insurance companies. It was formed in 1982. Blue Cross (hospital services) and Blue Shield (physician services) operated separately until 1975, when they became one as Health Care Service (HCSC) Corporation. HCSC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
What is the difference between HCSC and BCBS?
BCBS stands for Blue Cross Blue Shield, which is a federation of 36 separate health insurance companies. It was formed in 1982. Blue Cross (hospital services) and Blue Shield (physician services) operated separately until 1975, when they became one as Health Care Service (HCSC) Corporation. HCSC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
What are some HCSC subsidiaries?
Dearborn Group, Dental Network of America, Inc (DNoA), Medecision, Inc., Availity, LLC, Prime Therapeutics, LLC and TriWest Healthcare Alliance.
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Anthem and HCSC Insurance Contact Info
| Anthem Contact Info | |
|---|---|
| Address | 220 Virginia Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46204 |
| Phone | 1 (800) 331-1476 |
| Website | https://www.anthem.com/ |
| https://www.facebook.com/AnthemBlueCrossBlueShield/ | |
| Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCInrJqNqrSpvHwNErijbVyg |
| https://twitter.com/AnthemInc | |
| https://www.linkedin.com/company/antheminc/ | |
| HCSC Contact Info | |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 E. Randolph St. Chicago, IL 60601 |
| Phone | 1 (800) 654-7385 |
| Website | https://www.hcsc.com/ |
| https://www.facebook.com/healthcareservicecorporation/ | |
| Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/user/HealthCareService |
| https://twitter.com/HCSC | |
| https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-cross-and-blue-shield-of-illinois-new-mexico-oklahoma-&-texas/life/4548c167-e254-4ffd-a356-7892967212c3/ | |
Fran Majidi manages content on SmartFinancial's website. She's had nearly a decade's worth of experience writing about insurance-related topics. Prior, she was an arts and entertainment editor in New York City. She has a B.A. from Barnard College and an M.F.A. in writing from The New School. She writes books under her given name, Afarin Majidi.
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