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About Blue Cross Blue Shield

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield System

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) represents 39 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans that collectively provide health insurance to 100 million Americans — nearly one in three — in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans serve the entire health insurance market, including large employer groups, small businesses and individuals. Our hallmark is choice: Blue Plans offer HMO, PPO and traditional fee-for-service products. Nearly all Blue Plans offer health savings accounts (HSAs).

Nationwide, more than 90 percent of physicians and 80 percent of hospitals contract directly with Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield System collectively employs more than 150,000 people, ranking it among the 20 largest employers in the United States.

Blue Plans and the Federal Government

• Blue Plans are collectively the largest Medicare contractor, processing nearly 90 percent of Part A claims and 71 percent of Part B claims.
  
• Blue Plans are collectively the largest Medicare Advantage contractor and the largest provider of Medigap supplemental coverage to seniors.
  
• Blue Plans are the largest provider of Medicaid managed care, enrolling nearly 3 million Medicaid recipients.
  
• BCBSA’s Federal Employee Program (FEP) insures more than 55 percent of all federal employees and retirees.

Keeping Quality Healthcare Affordable

• Blue Plans are keeping quality healthcare affordable through a wide range of initiatives, including research on healthcare cost drivers, consumer education programs, anti-fraud measures, and working with providers to increase clinical quality and efficiency.
  
• Through the BlueWorks program, BCBSA recognizes and promotes numerous local Blue Plan initiatives that improve healthcare quality and affordability.
  
• BCBSA’s Technology Evaluation Center (TEC) serves as one of 13 Evidence-based Practice Centers for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). TEC assesses medical technologies based on clinical evidence. BCBSA’s WalkingWorks program encourages Americans to walk more often to improve their health while holding down costs.