Is Blue Shield the same as BlueCross?
Asked by: Dr. Dora Brown | Last update: July 8, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (62 votes)
Are Blue Cross and Blue Shield private insurance?
Blue Cross Blue Shield is a private insurer that offers Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. The plans they offer have various pros and cons, including cost and coverage.
When did Blue Cross merge with Blue Shield?
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, created in 1982, is the result of the merger of the Blue Cross Association and the National Association of Blue Shield Plans.
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield only in America?
As a Blue Cross and Blue Shield member, you take your healthcare benefits with you when you are abroad. Through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core program, you have access to doctors and hospitals around the world.
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.
Blue Cross vs Blue Shield in California! For Individual, Medicare, and Small Business
Is Blue Shield the same as Blue Cross insurance?
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.
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield good in all states?
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.
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.
Why did Blue Cross Blue Shield change its name?
We will continue to do business as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Why the change? The upcoming name change reflects the company's strategy to elevate the importance of whole health and to advance health beyond healthcare for our customers, their families, and our communities.
Is Anthem Blue Cross the same as Blue Shield of California?
Both Blue Shield and Anthem Blue Cross are dominant PPO providers in almost every county through California. Some people are even surprised they are separate carriers.
Is Regence the same as Blue Cross Blue Shield?
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a widely recognized insurance provider in the United States. In our region, it's administered through two key subsidiaries: Regence and Premera.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover international travel?
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan has you covered worldwide. If you need medical care outside the U.S, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands you can rest assured that the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan offers worldwide coverage.
Who owns Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance?
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 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.
Why is Blue Cross Blue Shield being sued?
The lawsuit alleged a range of antitrust violations by BCBS, including price fixing and allocating markets using exclusive service areas.
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield across the US?
With 33 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) health insurance companies, we offer personalized health care across the country.
What is my Blue Blue Cross Blue Shield?
MyBlue gives you access to an enhanced provider directory that lets you search for medical care and get procedure cost estimates. Through our Nurse Line, chat with a registered nurse or send a secure message.
Why is Blue Shield so expensive?
That said, the brief statement released by Blue Shield of California explains the reasons for the increases: higher provider prices, increased utilization, and a decline in enrollment in a bad economy resulting in spiraling premiums due to adverse selection.
Where does Blue Cross Blue Shield rank?
Overall, Blue Cross Blue Shield was the top health insurance company in 16 states, followed by Elevance Health in nine states. While UnitedHealth Group is America's largest insurer on a national level, it is comparatively less concentrated state-wide, being the top provider in states such as New York and Arizona.
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield free?
The Essential Plan costs $0 a month if you're eligible but offers the same benefits as other health plans. It has no deductible, so the plan starts paying for your care right away. You also get free preventive care like routine doctor exams and screenings to keep you healthy.
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield an advantage plan?
Medicare Advantage plans, including the BCBS options, have a broad network of physicians and hospitals where you can receive care.
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield the same as Anthem?
Anthem is part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield group. Blue Cross Blue Shield is made up of independent companies. Anthem is one of these companies. Other Blue Cross Blue Shield brands include Highmark, Regence and CareFirst.