Latest Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Stories

Previous studies showed higher costs of care for patient adherence to brand-name statins; new study shows generic statin adherence can lower overall costs SAN DIEGO, April 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- People who regularly take statins to reduce high cholesterol will see lower hospitalization rates according to a new study presented today at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)'s 25th Annual Meeting & Expo in San Diego. The study was conducted by pharmacy benefit manager Prime...

The Blue Distinction® designation aids consumers and employers in choosing high-performing hospitals OVERLAND PARK, Kan., April 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) has named Saint Luke's South Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center in Knee and Hip Replacement. The Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care® program is a national designation awarded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to medical facilities that have...

EAGAN, Minn., April 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and its family of companies (Blue Cross) today announced audited financial results for 2012. The organization reported a net operating loss of $54.8 million on full-year revenues of $9.5 billion, for a negative operating margin of (0.6%). Investment portfolio performance and additional sources of income offset operational losses, resulting in Blue Cross closing out the year with a net income...

PITTSBURGH, March 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Highmark Inc. announced today that it is offering Blue Distinction(® )Benefits, an employer group product that encourages use of Blue Distinction Centers, which are facilities that demonstrate better outcomes as well as fewer complications and readmissions. The product will become available April 1. Blue Distinction is a nationwide quality designation awarded by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association to hospitals that deliver...

EAST LANSING, Mich., March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) is now a part of Michigan's electronic sharing of health information through the Michigan Health Information Network Shared Services (MiHIN). MiHIN Executive Director Tim Pletcher said, "BCBSM's leadership as the first health plan to become a qualified data sharing organization (QO) demonstrates their commitment to improving the quality of care for their members. BCBSM is...

DETROIT, March 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Justice, State of Michigan and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan today filed a joint motion with the U.S. District Court in Detroit to dismiss an antitrust lawsuit filed against BCBSM over the use of Most Favored Nation clauses in some hospital contracts. The parties have agreed that the injunctive relief sought by the DOJ and State of Michigan is now unnecessary in light of the enactment of state legislation (2013 P.A....

Blue Cross Blue Shield RI received approval for a rate increase and the local insurance agents want residents to be prepared. Pawtucket, Rhode Island (PRWEB) March 18, 2013 Residents in Rhode Island may notice something different about their health insurance rates this year: an increase. The state’s largest health insurance provider, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, has been approved for increases in their rates for both small and large group employers, beginning with April...

Health Plans Earn Poor Marks in Third Annual Temkin Experience Ratings of 246 Companies Across 19 Industries WABAN, Mass., March 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on a study of 10,000 U.S consumers, TriCare and Kaiser Permanente earned the top spots in the health insurance sector of the 2013 Temkin Experience Ratings. At the other end of the spectrum, Empire (BCBS), Medicaid, and Highmark (BCBS) were the lowest-rated health plans. The health plan industry has the second-lowest average...

CAMP HILL, Pa., March 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of uninsured individuals are referred each year to the Schuylkill Alliance for Health Care Access, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the availability of and access to primary and preventive medical, dental and behavioral services for the residents of Schuylkill County. An increasing number of those individuals are also unemployed and have chronic conditions. Through a $15,000 grant from Highmark Blue Shield, the...

Ethisphere honor recognizes exceptional compliance and ethical leadership across continents and industries SAN FRANCISCO, March 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Shield of California has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the 2013 World's Most Ethical Companies for the second year in a row. The Ethisphere Institute is a leading international organization dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, governance,...