Blue Cross Blue Shield: Company Overview

About Blue Cross Blue Shield

Blue Cross was formed in 1929 as a partnership between Baylor University Hospital and its patients who were struggling financially. The administrators of the hospital wanted to make healthcare more affordable for some patients, many of whom were Dallas public school educators on restricted budgets. The initial payment plan set up by Baylor University Hospital consisted of a 50-cent prepay each month for up to 21 days of hospitalization per year. The success of the program lead to enrollment by employees in other professions across Dallas.

Blue Shield also began with workers, who faced illness and occupational hazards, including Pacific Northwest loggers and miners who faced physical challenges. Employers began to organize plans to provide medical services through partnerships with practitioners and groups of physicians for a manageable monthly fee.

Through the 1930s and 1940s, Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s plans became popular across the country and in 1933, the first Blue Cross Baby was born in Durham, North Carolina. Her 10-day hospital stay totaled $60. During the 1940s, Blue Cross and Blue Shield grew their program together to include 81 hospital plans and 44 medical plans.The two companies also unified to insure 24 million members nationwide with comprehensive coverage. 

During the 1950s and 1960s membership increased so that Blue Cross had 52 million members and Blue Shield had 40 million members. Federal employees also chose Blue Cross Blue Shield when the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHBP) gave federal employees a choice. Today, it continues to be the plan of choice as well.

Medicare was signed into law in 1966, and Blue Cross Blue Shield was the only company with the capacity to handle the claims processing for 5 million Medicare patients that first year. In 1978 Blue Cross and Blue Shield took their partnership a step farther, by consolidating staff and operations, forming the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association in 1982. BCBS persevered despite the economic turbulence of the 1990s and managed to grow their member services, with programs like the BlueCard®, which allowed members to obtain healthcare services while traveling or living in another service area. By the late 2000s, enrollment topped 100 million members.

Blue Cross Blue Shield is part of the Anthem Health Group (Anthem Health) and its entities are part of the core subsidiaries of Anthem. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Facts & Ratings

Blue Cross Blue Shield Mobile App Rating

Each state has its own 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.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Enrollment Process

Blue Cross Blue Shield is available through participating employers for group insurance. You can also buy an individual or family plan directly from Blue Cross Blue Shield, the health insurance marketplace or you can get several free quotes here.

You can also contact 888.630.2583 to learn more about Blue Cross Blue Shield options for individuals and families or find a local BCBS company by visiting here.

How to file a claim with Blue Cross Blue Shield

If you use a network doctor or hospital, your claims will be submitted by that provider. If you see an out-of-network provider, you need to submit the claim yourself. You must submit a completed claim form or alternative documentation via fax or mailing address. As an alternative to sending a claim form, supply a description of services, a bill of charges from the provider and any medical documents you received from your provider.

For medical and/or dental services in the U.S. Puerto Rico or the U.S Virgin islands, Use these claim forms. For anywhere else or on a cruise ship outside the U.S. use the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core international claim forms. For prescriptions inside or outside the U.S. or U.S. territories: Use these claim forms.

Common Questions about Blue Cross Blue Shield

Blue Cross Blue Shield Contact Info

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 Blue Cross Blue Shield Compare to Other health Insurance Companies?