History of Blue Cross Blue Shield
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield brands are the nation's oldest and largest family of health benefits companies and the most recognized brands in the health insurance industry.
Over the past 80 years, we've grown from our humble beginnings assuring hospital care to Texas teachers and providing physician care to lumber and mine workers in the Pacific Northwest. Now we're the largest health benefits provider in America, serving nearly 100 million people in all regions of the country.
We'd like to share with you some of the highlights of our history as well as the exciting programs and campaigns that make us the biggest and the best today.
- Provides coverage for nearly 100 million individuals - one-in-three Americans
- Covers one of every three Americans
- Includes 39 Plans in 50 states, DC, and Puerto Rico
- Contracts with more hospitals and physicians than any other insurer
- Sells insurance products to all sectors in the health insurance market
Timeline
1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s
