Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA)
Headquartered at Chicago, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) is a nationwide federation of 39 community based and independent organizations. All the companies operate as franchise, which sell health insurance plans under Blue Cross or Blue Shield or both brands. Health insurance plans offered by the federation companies are not only valid throughout US, but are also accepted and recognized in 170 countries worldwide. This is the precise reason why BCBS companies can be found in almost every state of US.
Justin Ford Kimball was the brain behind BCBS. In 1929 he developed a plan which enabled teachers to have 21 days of guaranteed health care for $6 a year. Soon the idea spread like wild fire on national level. Though the first blue cross symbol was first used in 1934 by Hospital Service Association, it became the hallmark once American Hospital Association began using blue cross symbols for health plans that met certain standards. Meanwhile, another health plan was gaining wide acceptance mining and lumbering camps of Pacific Northwest. The only difference was, this plans were launched by a group of physicians who used to refer themselves as Regence BlueShield. When the two organizations became affiliates in 1972, the plans offered by either of the insurance companies were sold under BCBSA.
Not Just Health Insurance
Till date more than 102 million Americans or every third American has been benefited by BCBSA. It is one of the nations oldest and largest health benefits company in US. BCBSA is also one of the 20 largest employers of US. Throughout the US, 90% of hospitals and 80% of physicians have contracts with BCBS companies. Not only in US, BCBS brand are also registered in 170 countries worldwide, making it one of the most widely healthcare companies in the world. Flexible Spending Account, Health Maintenance Organization, Health Savings Account, Health Reimbursement Arrangement are just some of the healthcare plans offered by BCBSA.
It is mandatory for all the members of BCBSA to carry BlueCard while travelling in US and carry BlueCard Worldwide while travelling outside US. Apart from healthcare plans, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association also offer Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription drug plans for each of the local markets across US. If you want to know more about BCBSA, then bcbs.com is the place to start with.
