Is there a difference between Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield?
Asked by: Jany Schaden | Last update: December 2, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (13 votes)
What is the difference between Anthem and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield?
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.
Are Blue Cross and Blue Shield the same?
Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurance companies are licensees, independent of the association and traditionally of each other, offering insurance plans within defined regions under one or both of the association's brands.
How do I know which Anthem 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.
Did Blue Cross Blue Shield change to Anthem?
This joint-branded tile will remain in place throughout 2024 to help facilitate a smooth transition. branded beginning on December 9, 2023: • The Empire BlueCross payer space will be branded Anthem Blue Cross. The Empire BlueCross BlueShield payer space will be branded Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
Kaiser Permanente vs Anthem Blue Cross in CA! Individual, Medicare and Small Business Markets
What is the other name for Anthem Blue Cross?
Prior to June 2022, Elevance Health was named Anthem, Inc. The company's services include medical, pharmaceutical, dental, behavioral health, long-term care, and disability plans through affiliated companies such as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross in California, Wellpoint, and Carelon.
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.
Is Blue Shield part of Anthem?
Yes. We will retain the Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Blue Cross in our name. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Anthem Blue Cross are our local health insurance companies in our 14 Blue-licensed markets and will continue to be our local health plan brands in those states, which now includes New York.
How much does an MRI cost with Blue Cross insurance?
Cost of an MRI with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) insurance varies based on your plan, network status, and deductible. For in-network providers, out-of-pocket costs typically range from $100 to $500, while the full cost can be $1,000 to $3,000 or more without insurance.
What states does Anthem Blue Cross cover?
We serve our members as the Blue Cross licensee for California and as the Blue Cross and Blue Shield, or BCBS, licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (in the New York City metropolitan area and ...
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?
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 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.
Are all BCBS the same?
Blue Cross Blue Shield is NOT a Single Health Insurance Company. Rather, There are 36 Different Blue Cross Blue Shield Companies that are Part of as Association. Anthem is the Largest of all the Blue Cross Companies.
Is Anthem the same as blue card?
BlueCard PPO gives you access to Anthem PPO benefits all across the nation by uniting Anthem's network with those of other Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensed companies. In fact, more than 85 percent of all hospitals and physicians throughout the U.S. contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.
Does Anthem cover anesthesia?
The spokesperson added, "To be clear, it never was and never will be the policy of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to not pay for medically necessary anesthesia services. The proposed update to the policy was only designed to clarify the appropriateness of anesthesia consistent with well-established clinical guidelines.”
Why does insurance not cover MRI?
Insurance denials for MRI scans or surgeries can happen due to various reasons, such as pre-authorization requirements, medical necessity disputes, or administrative errors. It's important to remember that denial doesn't necessarily mean you won't receive the necessary care.
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.
Is Anthem Blue Cross different from Anthem Blue Shield?
Anthem and Blue Cross Blue Shield are related, but they are not the same company. While they are both top health insurance providers in the USA, the big difference is that Blue Cross Blue Shield is the umbrella that is made up of several independent companies, and one of these smaller companies is Anthem.
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 Anthem the new name for 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. This will not impact your coverage, access to care, or level of support.
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 Anthem a Blue Cross product?
Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California. Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association.
How much is the payout for the Blue Cross Blue Shield lawsuit?
After more than a decade of litigation, the national Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) agreed to a proposed class action settlement that would distribute $2.8 billion to impacted hospitals and providers and require substantial changes in the way the health insurers conduct business.