Is Highmark part of Blue Cross Blue Shield?

Asked by: Cesar Jast  |  Last update: January 5, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (47 votes)

Together with its Blue-branded affiliates, Highmark Inc. is collectively the fourth-largest overall Blue Cross and Blue Shield-affiliated organization in the country based on capital. Highmark Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Is Highmark the same as Blue Cross Blue Shield?

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Blue Cross, Blue Shield and the Cross and Shield symbols are registered service marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Who is the parent company of Highmark?

The Highmark Health enterprise is the third largest integrated health care delivery and financing system in the nation. Highmark Health is the parent company of Highmark Inc., Allegheny Health Network and HM Health Solutions.

What type of insurance is Highmark?

Highmark: Health Insurance Plans for Individuals & Businesses.

Is Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield good insurance?

Highmark ranks second on insure.com's list of the best health insurance companies in the U.S. for 2024. PITTSBURGH (March 21, 2024) — Highmark has recently been ranked the number two health insurer in the nation on insure.com's list of the best health insurance companies in the U.S. for 2024.

Health Insurance 101: How Insurance Works In 90 Seconds | BCBSND

24 related questions found

Is Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicaid?

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield (Highmark BCBS) partners with Wellpoint companies to administer certain services to Medicaid Managed Care (MMC), Health and Recovery Plan (HARP), and Child Health Plus (CHPlus) members.

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.

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.

How do I know which Blue Cross Blue Shield 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.

What states is Highmark BCBS in?

Highmark Inc. remains among the largest Blue Plans in the country with approximately 7 million members in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia, along with Western and Northeastern New York.

Does Highmark BCBS require prior authorization?

Highmark requires authorization of certain services, procedures, and/or Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, & Supplies (DMEPOS) prior to performing the procedure or service. The authorization is typically obtained by the ordering provider. Some authorization requirements vary by member contract.

Is Highmark a Medicare?

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Highmark Blue Shield are Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and/or Part D plans with a Medicare contract.

When did BCBS become Highmark?

In 1996, the two Blue plans were consolidated, forming Highmark Inc. Highmark is now one of the largest health insurers in the United States. These two plans were unique organizations from the outset — nonprofit corporations structured along traditional business lines.

Are Anthem BCBS and Highmark BCBS the same?

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.

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.

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 cheaper than Blue Shield?

Depending on your region, the cheapest California health plan might be offered by Anthem Blue Cross or by Blue Shield of California. However, the rates tend to be about the same. The big difference is network. Which plan offers the most doctors, hospitals and medical provider networks?

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.

Which health insurance denies the most claims?

According to the analysis, AvMed and UnitedHealthcare tied for the highest denial rate, with both companies denying about a third of in-network claims for plans sold on the Marketplace in 2023, respectively.

Is $200 a month good for health insurance?

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. The best way to get cheap rates is to use health insurance subsidies, which lower the cost of an insurance plan based on your income.

What's better, PPO or HMO?

HMO plans typically have lower monthly premiums. You can also expect to pay less out of pocket. PPOs tend to have higher monthly premiums in exchange for the flexibility to use providers both in and out of network without a referral.

Is Highmark part of Blue Shield?

Together with its Blue-branded affiliates, Highmark Inc. is collectively the fourth-largest overall Blue Cross and Blue Shield-affiliated organization in the country based on capital. Highmark Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

What can I use my Highmark benefits card for?

This card can be used at the following categories of participating retailers:
  • Grocery Stores*
  • Supermarkets*
  • Medical Device Retailers.
  • Eye Care Specialists.
  • Drug Stores and Retail Pharmacies.

Is Highmark Wholecare the same as Blue Cross Blue Shield?

Health benefits or health benefit administration may be provided by or through Highmark Wholecare, coverage by Gateway Health Plan, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (“Highmark Wholecare”).