1950s

1950

The groundbreaking "U.S. Steel Agreement" went into effect between United States Steel Corporation, the Carnegie Pension Fund and Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania. The role played by the Pittsburgh-based Plan -- the "control Plan" that coordinated administration of benefits by local "participating Plans" -- becomes the linchpin of the Blue System's ability to serve large national accounts.

1955

The spread of health insurance coverage-- from less than 10 percent of the population having coverage in 1940 -- grows to nearly 70 percent in 1955.

1959

Congress enacted the Federal Employees Health Benefits Act and the first FEP open enrollment period was held a year later. Today, FEP covers more than 4.8 million federal employees, retirees and their families.

Blue Cross Blue Shield advertisement from the 1950s.

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