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Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Statement on Risk Adjustment Payment Freeze

"Without a quick resolution to this matter, this action will significantly increase 2019 premiums for millions of individuals and small business owners and could result in far fewer health plan choices. It will undermine Americans' access to affordable coverage, particularly for those who need medical care the most."

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association: Value-Based Care Delivers Huge ROI

"The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association's plans are spending more than $65 million a year in value-based payment programs that have a high return on investment. In 2012 alone, the plans saved $500 million.... The three keys to its success include: changing payment incentives and reimbursements to reward providers when they offer value and quality care; partnering with clinicians to provide necessary support, data and tools so they can implement quality care; and engaging patients with wellness programs and transparency tools, plus educating them about how to be more healthful and manage chronic conditions."

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Confirms Obamacare Death Spiral

"These health plans have not done a great job containing costs in employer-based health plans either. Those policies' average monthly health spending increased 8 percent in the first nine months of 2015 versus 2014. However, costs in individual policies increased 12 percent, half again as much. This means the gap in medical spending between the two markets is increasing."

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Launches Nationwide Database on Healthcare Quality and Cost

"The database provides two primary advantages, BCBSA CIO Doug Porter [said] ... For consumers, they are better informed with this data at their fingertips. And for health plan account decision-makers, 'they now have fuller visibility and transparency' to guide employees to seek out the best point of service for their care ... [P]roviders can benefit by using the data to benchmark care delivery patterns, which allows them to drive more coordinated, patient-centered care[.]"

Advanced Medical Technology Association Says Blue Cross Blue Shield Is 'Myopic'

Excerpt: [The BCBSA study] fails to fully value the benefits of better health that stem from medical technology.... 'While many of the benefits of medical technology extend beyond the churn of health insurer coverage periods, it's myopic of Blue Cross Blue Shield Association not to recognize these contributions,' said Pamela G. Bailey, AdvaMed president. 'These benefits must be taken into account in any meaningful dialogue on health care costs.'

Antitrust Lawsuits Target Blue Cross and Blue Shield

"Blue Cross and Blue Shield health insurers cover about a third of Americans, through a national network that dates back decades. Now, antitrust lawsuits advancing in a federal court in Alabama allege that the 37 independently owned companies are functioning as an illegal cartel.... The suits, which name all of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies as defendants as well as the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, have already survived the insurers' first major legal challenge."

Blue Cross Plans to Launch Private Exchange for Retirees Across the Country

"In the latest endorsement of the fast-growing private exchange approach to health benefit offerings, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies will launch an online portal for retirees to shop for different plans.... The marketplace will provide a 'personalized shopping experience to help retirees purchase the Medicare coverage that best meets their needs,' Maureen Sullivan, senior vice president and chief strategy officer for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association said."

Fifth Circuit Revives Emergency Physician Groups' ERISA Claims Against Out-of-State Blue Cross Plans

"[T]he Fifth Circuit partially reversed a district court ruling that had thrown out ERISA and contract claims brought by Texas emergency physician groups against 24 out-of-state Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliates. The court's opinion clarifies how assignments of benefits, anti-assignment clauses, and exhaustion requirements apply when emergency providers seek reimbursement for patients' care." [Angelina Emergency Medicine Associates Pa v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, No. 24-10306 (5th Cir. Aug. 8, 2025)]

Anthem Joins Blue Cross' State Farm Deal to Sell Obamacare

"Anthem, which sells Blue Cross brand plans in more than a dozen states, will expand a partnership with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association that will put Blues branded health insurance policies into the hands of thousands of State Farm sales representatives.... It expands a deal announced last year that State Farm negotiated with five other Blue Cross plans owned by Health Care Service Corp. to offer individual health insurance policies."

Nebraska Blue Cross Telehealth Reimbursement Cut Has Officials Worried About Potential for More

"Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association, said Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska's decision to cut reimbursement for telehealth visits by 50% as of July 1 is a huge concern that could drastically reduce the use of virtual care in the state if other insurers follow suit.... [It's] not clear if any other health insurers plan to follow suit."