Who we are

We are the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, the trade association for the independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. We are the proven consumer health advocates, always with the public's best interests at heart. When families are seeking quality health insurance, they think of our member Blue Plans.

The 41 local member companies of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association have provided millions of families like yours with top-quality, affordable health insurance for more than 70 years. For the one in four Americans who carry Blue Cross and Blue Shield cards, the Blue Plans symbolize health security. Our member Plans provide the kind of health care coverage you and your loved ones will want and need in the 21st century: high quality, customer-focused, innovative, affordable.

As we move forward in the new millennium, there are many exciting medical breakthroughs likely just around the corner. With those discoveries comes change. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and its member Plans will be there every step of the way for American families, like always.

What we do

We act as a Brand manager by setting quality control standards for the companies that use the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Brands and we serve as a trade association that represents the Blue Plans. We also are responsible for providing the Blue Plans with national leadership among industry colleagues, government officials, media and the public. When the individual Blue Plans' priorities, business objectives and corporate culture conflict, it is our job to help them develop a united vision and strategy. The role of the Association is also to assist in linking the Plans with programs that permit each to benefit from the local strength of all Member Plans.

BCBSA employs more than 800 of the best strategic thinkers in the industry. We offer a
consultative work environment, and encourage and promote advancement opportunities from within. BCBSA also prides itself on employing a diverse work force and provides competitive salaries plus an annual bonus program. In addition, we enjoy a business casual dress code five days a week.

DIVERSITY

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) is an organization that values and promotes diversity in our workplace. Diversity refers to human differences, including those based on culture, ethnicity, gender, age, and disability. All BCBSA associates deserve uncompromising respect and each is a valued member of the Association.

Diversity is about encouraging and enabling all employees to draw fully on their talents and skills for the benefit of BCBSA objectives. People should try new ideas that will improve the workplace, satisfy our customers and community, achieve business success, and foster upward mobility.

Some of the key areas that benefit from a diverse workforce are:

BCBSA’s overall performance : Diversity improves the organization’s ability to cope with change; increases productivity and reaction time; and expands creativity, problem-solving resources, and nimbleness.

Development and relationships of employees : Diversity increases worker retention; improves individual development; broadens and enhances skill levels; and enhances teamwork.

Marketplace advantage : Diversity provides the organization with greater understanding and sensitivity toward an increasingly diverse customer base, our Plan owners, and business partners/vendors; and stimulates development of products, technologies, and partnerships that respond to emerging possibilities.

Community relationships : Diversity improves the organization’s relationships and partnerships with communities in which we live, recruit, and operate.

BCBSA will strive to maintain a workforce that meets the needs of our customers and the communities where we work and live, and we will select business partners/vendors who understand and respect the importance of diversity.

Diversity is a competitive business advantage and is rooted in social responsibilities that rise above business goals. Thus, BCBSA’s traditions in community involvement, cultural celebration and charitable contributions will continue.

BCBSA is committed to providing a work environment in which differences are respected, employees are treated fairly, and individual contributions are valued and rewarded.

In 1999, BCBSA created the Diversity Council based on a recommendation of the Diversity Enhancement Task Force. The mission of Diversity Council is to help create an environment that recognizes and supports the diverse talents and cultural experiences of our employees and one that acknowledges the value of diversity in achieving our corporate goals.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield System

The 41 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, the national and international interests of which are coordinated by Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), are independent, locally operated companies. Together the 41 independent Blue Plans and BCBSA comprise the Blue Cross and Blue Shield System, the nation’s oldest and largest family of health benefits companies.

Blue Cross Plans were founded to cover hospital expenses, and Blue Shield Plans covered the costs of physician services. Today, the brands represent the full spectrum of healthcare coverage.

Collectively, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans provide healthcare coverage for more than 88 million people – nearly 30 percent of all Americans – in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. They offer a variety of insurance products to all segments of the population, including large employer groups, small businesses and individuals.

With headquarters in Chicago and offices in Washington, D.C., BCBSA has 850 employees. Member Blue Plans collectively have more than 150,000 employees nationwide, ranking the Blue System as a group among the 20 largest employers in the United States.

Collectively, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans reported revenue of $162.8 billion for 2002. In 2001, their combined revenue was $143.2 billion.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans collectively provide healthcare coverage for more than 88 million Americans:
• 43.3 million in PPOs
• 19.7 million in traditional, fee-for-service
• 16.6 million in HMOs
• 6.8 million in point-of-service (POS) products

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans have partnered with the federal government to process Medicare claims and payments since the program’s inception in 1966. Today, Blue Medicare contractors handle more of the day-to-day work of administering Medicare than any other companies. In 2002, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicare contractors processed nearly 90 percent of the claims from hospitals and other provider institutions (Part A) and nearly 60 percent of the claims from physicians and other healthcare practitioners (Part B).

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

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield System’s Federal Employee Program (FEP) – the largest privately underwritten health insurance contract in the world – enrolls more than 4.1 million federal government employees, dependents and retirees. Approximately 52 percent of all federal employees and retirees who receive their healthcare through the government’s Federal Employee Health Benefits Program are members of FEP.

BCBSA’s BlueCard Program – which links participating healthcare providers and the independent Blue Plans across the country through a single electronic network for claims processing and reimbursement – enables Blue Plans to serve large national employers such as Microsoft Corporation, Hyatt Corporation, United Airlines, UPS and Wal-Mart. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans cover half of all Fortune 500 companies and more than three-quarters of all Fortune 100 companies.

In 2002, BlueCard processed more than 103 million claim transactions, up from 82 million in 2001. The vast majority of BlueCard claim transactions represent national account business, with an increasing percentage moving into PPO. This increase in claim transaction volume, combined with provider discounts, helped the BlueCard Program save the Blue System an estimated $13.5 billion in 2002.

BlueCard Worldwide gives Blue Cross and Blue Shield members traveling or living outside the United States access to an international network of hospitals and doctors and provides medical assistance services worldwide.

BCBSHealthIssues.com is a leading online resource for balanced, credible information about public policy issues impacting the U.S. healthcare system. Sponsored by BCBSA, this Web site helps consumers, business leaders, lawmakers and government officials evaluate competing legislative and regulatory proposals -- to help shape a more responsive healthcare system consistent with today's economic realities.

BCBSA’s Technology Evaluation Center (TEC), pioneered the development of scientific criteria for the assessment of medical technologies. TEC assessments help physicians choose the most appropriate interventions to care for specific patients in specific settings. They also help clinical specialty organizations develop clinical practice guidelines and other tools to improve the quality of healthcare services.

In 1997, BCBSA’s TEC became one of 13 institutions awarded a five-year contract by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to serve as an Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC). TEC was awarded a five-year contract renewal in 2002 as an EPC.

To date, TEC has completed more than 300 assessments and six evidence reports.

Our benefit package is comprehensive, flexible and highly competitive. Even in challenging times, with all of the issues being focused on the rising costs of healthcare, pensions, etc., we’re proud that we’ve been able to provide a variety of benefits, from healthcare to transit checks, which can be tailored to meet the needs of you and your family. For a full listing of Benefits, Please visit our website.

Credit dollars
BluePrint is Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association’s (BCBSA) flexible, or “cafeteria-style”, benefits program. With BluePrint, each eligible employee is given "credit dollars" to spend on their benefit options. With the BluePrint program, you have the opportunity to design a BluePrint of benefits that meets your individual needs and unique situations. For many of our employees, their credit dollars is adequate to pay for all of their benefits. For those who choose richer benefit selections, they are able to pay with tax advantage pre-tax dollars.

Medical
Medical coverage provides you and your family with peace of mind and protection against the high cost of health care. As a BCBSA employee, you can choose between three medical plans: Traditional PPO, HMO and a high deductible PPO with a health care savings account, or you may opt out of medical coverage altogether. A new employee is eligible for coverage on the first day of the month following date of hire.

Dental
Preventive dental care and dental maintenance is the key to long-term dental health. BCBSA provides dental insurance that assists in making dental care and maintenance affordable to you and your family.
BCBSA offers two dental plan options: Predent, which allows you to receive services from the provider of your choice, and BlueCare Dental, which is a dental HMO program, respectively. A new employee is eligible for coverage on the first day of the month following date of hire.

Vision
In addition to the vision benefit in our medical plans, BCBSA offers additional vision coverage through Davis Vision. With a national network of doctors, Davis Vision offers preferred pricing on vision exams, contact lenses, eyeglass lenses and eyeglass frames. A new employee is eligible for coverage on the first day of the month following date of hire.

Basic Life Insurance
Life insurance offers an important source of financial protection. BCBSA provides you with $10,000 of basic term life insurance at no cost to you. You have the option to purchase $50,000, 1 x salary or 2.5 x salary in coverage.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment
Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage provides benefits in the event of death or dismemberment resulting from an accident. The basic term life insurance coverage you choose automatically comes with a matching amount of AD&D coverage for your additional protection.

Group Universal Life Insurance
Additionally, you can choose to purchase supplemental insurance for yourself and/or your dependents through our Group Universal Life (GUL) program.

Business Travel Accident Insurance
All employees are covered by BCBSA’s business travel accident policy. This company-paid program provides 2 x salary in life insurance coverage to employees should they die while traveling on BCBSA business.

Disability Benefits
Disability coverage enables you to continue collecting a portion of your earnings if an approved disability prevents you from working. You must complete six months of service to be eligible to receive disability benefits.

Short-Term Disability (STD)
Should you have an accident or illness that causes an extended period of absence, STD can help maintain a portion of your income. Approved STD generally follows five days of absence and can extend to 150 days depending upon your situation.

Long-Term Disability (LTD)
When accidents or illnesses cause lengthy absences, LTD can provide income assistance. BCBSA provides 50% of your salary, at no cost to you, for approved LTD; however, higher coverages are available.

Long Term Care Insurance
BCBSA offers long-term care insurance which provides benefits for home health care, adult day care, assisted living and care in a nursing home.

Domestic Partner Coverage
BCBSA will pay 50% of the cost to provide medical, dental, and/or vision coverage to the same-sex or opposite sex domestic partner of an employee.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides assessments and referrals (including dependent care referrals) to help you and your family cope with a variety of personal or workplace problems.

Flexible Spending Account
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows employees to set aside pre-tax earnings to pay for eligible medical and dependent care expenses. BCBSA employees can defer up to $3,000 annually for a Health Care FSA and $5,000 annually for a Dependent Care FSA.

Health Dialog Service
BCBSA employees and their dependents have free access to a confidential health information service called Health Dialog. Health Dialog can act as an additional information source on any health condition or concern you may have.