Health Care Service Corporations: Overview

HCSC is the third largest commercial health insurer in the U.S with over 15 million members.

Compare Health Insurance Rates in Your Area

About Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC)

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.

Blue Cross (hospital services) and Blue Shield (physician services) operated separately until 1975, when they became one as Health Care Service Corporation. The company continued to grow as Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans joined HCSC. Texas joined in 1998, New Mexico in 2001, Oklahoma in 2005 and Montana in 2013.

Today HCSC serves over 15 million members with a variety of group and individual health care plans, services and life insurance products. As a pioneer in many states, HSBC was the first to do many things. In Illinois, HCSC was the first to provide coverage for bone marrow transplants, heart transplants and to provide group health insurance to rural and small communities as well as the first CareVan as a mobile immunization program. In Texas, they were the first to provide coverage for cancer treatment, catastrophic diseases like polio, leukemia and diptheria, and they provided healthcare starting at birth. They also provided coverage to migrant farm workers in Texas. In New Mexico, HCSC was the first to offer PPO coverage, point-of-service coverage, electronics claims exchange with providers, customer service for large group accounts and in-hospital medical coverage on a per visit basis. In Oklahoma, HCSC was the first to create a mobile health screening unit and free screenings for vision, hearing, glaucoma, blood and blood pressure.

HCSC Facts & Ratings

Year Founded 1929
Medicare Star Rating 3 stars (out of 5)
BBB Rating A+
NAIC Complaint Index 0.40% for individual health
NAIC Complaint Index 0.46% for group health

HCSC Mobile App Rating

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.

Pros & Cons of HCSC

  • Health plans in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
  • Affordable marketplace plans with different tiers of coverage.
  • HCSC only operates as BCBS in 5 states: Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

HCSC Enrollment Process

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 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

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.

Is HCSC a publicly-traded company?

HCSC is a mutual insurance company, which means that it is customer-owned.

What states does HCSC insurance cover?

HCSC only operates in 5 states: Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Ohklahoma and Texas.

What is the HCSC medical policy?

HCSC serves nearly 15 million members with group life, disability and dental solutions. They also offer individual health insurance and group insurance with affordable options.

How many members does HCSC have?

HCSC has over 15 million members.

What is HCSC Healthy Kids, Healthy Families®?

Healthy Kid, Healthy Families is part of Health Care Service Corporation’s ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of the children and families across the states in which we operate. HCSC has invested in nonprofit organizations that offer nutrition, physical activity, disease prevention, disease management and the promotion of safe environments for kids.

How big is HCSC?

HCSC is the third largest commercial health insurer in the U.S.

Does HCSC cover asthma?

HCSC covers asthma and has invested heavily in asthma awareness in connection with the American Lung Association.

What is the HCSC care van®?

The HCSC Care Van® strives to prevent disease across the 5 states it covers using mobile health vans to serve underserved communities with preventive services and screenings for adults and children.

How does HCSC medicare work?

You can choose to receive all your Medicare benefits through a private insurer like HCSC or you can choose a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) and get original Medicare A and B from the federal program. You can also add Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan, also called Medigap, to help pay for copays, coinsurance and deductibles as well as other expenses.

Does HCSC cover out of state?

HCSC only operates in 5 states: Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Ohklahoma and Texas.

Can you cancel HCSC insurance anytime?

You can cancel using this cancellation form. However, you cannot start another plan anytime. Make sure you and your family members are covered before you cancel so you don’t have a gap in coverage. We highly suggest you shop rates here.

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/

Methodology

The information listed on this page is from our own in house research. It is accurate as of the article publish date. Visit the carrier website for additional information.

 

How Does HCSC to Other health Insurance Companies?

HCSC vs Ambetter HCSC vs Blue Cross Blue Shield
HCSC vs Cigna HCSC vs Humana
HCSC vs Oscar HCSC vs UnitedHealthcare

Compare Health Insurance Rates for Free

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