Anthem vs. HCSC Insurance

Which health insurance company is the best option for you and your family? Compare Anthem and HCSC side by side.

Compare Health Insurance Rates in Your Area

secure Editorial Standards

SmartFinancial Offers Unbiased, Fact-based Information. Our fact-checked articles are intended to educate insurance shoppers so they can make the right buying decisions. Learn More

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  

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.

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/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AnthemBlueCrossBlueShield/
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCInrJqNqrSpvHwNErijbVyg
Twitter https://twitter.com/AnthemInc
Linkedin 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/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/healthcareservicecorporation/
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/HealthCareService
Twitter https://twitter.com/HCSC
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-cross-and-blue-shield-of-illinois-new-mexico-oklahoma-&-texas/life/4548c167-e254-4ffd-a356-7892967212c3/

Compare Health Insurance Rates for Free

Answer a few questions and let Penny find the best rates in your area.