The Blue Cross Blue Shield trade organization provides some of the most popular medical insurance available. Through this trade organization, Blue Cross Health Insurance, links to nearly 40 independent, regional health insurance companies located in the United States. and Puerto Rico. Todays Blue Cross health insurance company, along with the Blue Shield company, both evolved from individual health insurance companies originally formed during the 1930s.
A Blue Cross sponsored health insurance company essentially becomes a franchisee of the parent company. Each franchise is authorized to offer Blue Cross health insurance plans and/or Blue Shield plans. These plans are so popular that there are Blue Cross-Blue Shield insurance plans available in every U.S. state. In fact, in many states, and regions, a Blue Cross health insurance company often acts as the Medicare administrator for that area.
Looking under the Blue Cross health insurance umbrella you will currently find 39 member companies. Having provided health insurance for more than 70 years, it is estimated that 1 in 3 Americans carries some type of Blue Cross health insurance card. The Blue Cross health insurance company proudly promotes its health insurance plans as being of high quality, flexible, and affordable.
Blue Cross health insurance is also available to the Federal Government. This Federal health insurance plan presents a nation-wide option offered by the FEHBP (Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan). The FEHBP was established strictly for the purpose of offering Blue Cross health insurance to federal employees. This allows the Blue Cross health insurance companies to maintain a close association with governmental health insurance policy makers.
Traditionally, Blue Cross health insurance provided coverage for only hospital related expenses. Medical coverages (doctors, etc.) were offered by Blue Shield. With just a few exceptions, that division of offerings no longer exists. Blue Cross health insurance is obtainable from brokers of either Blue Cross, or Blue Shield.
There has been some consolidation of Blue Cross health insurance companies allowing them to provide health insurance coverage to very large groups, while at the same time being able to offer lower premium rates. One such consolidation is called WellPoint. It offers both Blue Cross, and Blue Shield health insurance in more than a dozen states. Other examples would be the mid-Atlantic region's CareFirst, and located in the U.S. Pacific northwest, The Regence Group.
Financially speaking, just how popular is Blue Cross health insurance? It is estimated that in 2003, the Blue Cross health insurance family of companies earned more than $182 billion in revenues.
For anyone who may be seeking affordable health insurance offering good coverage, a Blue Cross health insurance plan may just meet your coverage needs, while still fitting into your budget.
______________________________________________
Editor
The Best Health Insurance
Author: Peter Charalambos
Granted Expert Author Status
