Is Blue Shield the same as Blue Cross Blue Shield?
Asked by: Terrance Waelchi Jr. | Last update: August 30, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (31 votes)
Who owns Blue Cross and Blue Shield?
The Association owns and manages Blue Cross and Blue Shield trademarked plans in over 170 countries and grants licenses to independent companies to use the names in exclusive geographic areas. BCBSA companies provide health insurance to over 115 million people in the United States.
What is the difference between Blue Cross and Blue Shield standard and basic?
FEP Blue Basic provides coverage for preventive dental care services only, while FEP Blue Standard provides coverage for preventive dental care and some other non-routine services. FEP Blue Focus does not offer dental benefits.
Is Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield the same as Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield?
As of January 1, 2024, the Empire BlueCross BlueShield and Empire BlueCross names are Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Anthem Blue Cross.
Why is Blue Cross Blue Shield now an Anthem?
Why are you changing the name of Empire BlueCross BlueShield and Empire BlueCross? Empire has been an Anthem company since 2006. Becoming Anthem in New York represents our continued journey to bring together everything that Anthem offers our members and our communities across our 14 states.
Blue Cross vs. UnitedHealthcare: Which Insurance is Best for You?
Did Anthem buy out Blue Cross Blue Shield?
In 1996, The Associated Group changed its name to Anthem Insurance Company. In August 1997, Anthem acquired Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut. It also sold Acordia to management. In 1999, Anthem acquired Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Hampshire and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Colorado and Nevada.
Is there a difference between Blue Cross Blue Shield and Blue Shield?
Blue Cross and Blue Shield developed separately, with Blue Cross providing coverage for hospital services and Blue Shield covering physicians' services. Blue Cross is a name used by an association of health insurance plans throughout the United States.
Why is Blue Cross Blue Shield so good?
In every ZIP Code, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies offer a personalized approach to health care based on the needs of the communities where their members live and work. They work closely with hospitals and doctors in the communities they serve to provide quality, affordable health care.
Who is buying out Blue Cross Blue Shield?
Elevance Health's $2.5 billion acquisition of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (BCBSLA) is on pause yet again amid concerns about the impact on competition.
Can blue cross be used in any state?
Every Blue Cross Blue Shield plan participates in the BlueCard program that allows you to use your plan benefits to access care anywhere inside the United States. Depending on the type of plan you have, you may only be covered in emergency situations. This is the case if you have an HMO network plan, for example.
What happened to Blue Cross Blue Shield?
Court issues preliminary approval of $2.8 billion Blue Cross Blue Shield provider settlement. A $2.8 billion settlement from Blue Cross Blue Shield to health care providers resolving a 12-year antitrust lawsuit received preliminary approval yesterday from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.
What is the best healthcare insurance?
Investopedia's analysis ranks Kaiser Permanente as the best health insurance company for 2025 because of its blend of affordability and low customer complaints. UnitedHealthcare and Aetna also earned top marks. We evaluated nine insurers using dozens of criteria, such as customer satisfaction, plan types, and costs.
Is Blue Shield PPO or HMO better?
HMO plans are generally less expensive than PPO plans, with lower monthly payments, making them ideal if your favorite doctors are already in the network, or if you receive most of your care close to home.
How do I know which Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance I have?
If you forget or aren't sure what type of health insurance plan you have (like an HMO or PPO), you can find out on your BCBS ID card. If you have an HMO, your card may also list the physician or group you've selected for primary care.
Is $200 a month expensive for health insurance?
Is $200 a month expensive for health insurance in California? Health insurance that costs $200 per month is a good deal in California. Silver plans typically cost $513 per month for a 21-year-old or $656 per month for a 40-year-old.
What is the difference between a PPO and a HMO?
HMOs (health maintenance organizations) are typically cheaper than PPOs, but they tend to have smaller networks. You need to see your primary care physician before getting a referral to a specialist. PPOs (preferred provider organizations) are usually more expensive.
What is better, Blue Shield or Anthem Blue Cross?
What we're seeing is that when comparing apples and apples, the Blue Shield of California formulary is broader than Anthem Blue Cross for Individual/Family and maybe even Small Business. Anthem made the move to a more limited drug list for their group business which was unprecedented.
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield a PPO?
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
However, BCBS still pays more to in-network providers than out-of-network providers. People who are part of a PPO do not need a physician's referral to consult with a specialist. PPOs also usually offer drug coverage. Learn about Medicare referrals.
Does Anthem count as Blue Cross?
Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Cross of California Partnership Plan, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association.
How much does a CT scan cost with Blue Cross Blue Shield?
How much does a CT scan cost with Blue Cross Blue Shield? Insurers can decide to cover a CT scan based on a patient's condition, where the scan takes place and how many scans are needed. You can expect Blue Cross Blue Shield to pick up some of the cost, leaving you to pay between $400 and $700.
What is the lawsuit against Anthem Blue Cross?
The Los Angeles City Attorney's Office's lawsuit alleged that Anthem Blue Cross used secret internal units to identify and target policyholders who became ill. Furthermore, the lawsuit alleged 500,000 consumers were tricked into buying ultimately worthless insurance policies because of the company's false advertising.