It is not one company
This is the single most useful thing to understand. Blue Cross Blue Shield is a federation of independent, locally operated licensee companies that share the brand. The Blue Cross plan in one state is a separate business from the one next door, with its own network, its own pricing, its own service record and often its own name — Anthem, Florida Blue, Highmark, CareFirst, Premera, Horizon and so on.
What that means when you shop
- Reviews from other states are close to useless. Someone's experience with a Blues plan in another state is about a different company.
- Complaint data must be state-specific. Look up the actual licensee operating where you live, not "Blue Cross Blue Shield" generally.
- Networks do not transfer automatically. There are national arrangements for members traveling or living out of area, but the details vary by plan — worth asking about specifically if you split time between states or have a child at college elsewhere.
- The name on the plan may not say "Blue Cross". If you are shopping in a state where the licensee trades under a different name, you may not realize you are looking at a Blues plan at all.
Questions worth asking about a specific Blues plan
- Which licensee company actually issues this plan, and what is its complaint index in this state?
- Is this an HMO, PPO or EPO? The difference matters more than the brand.
- Are my doctors contracted with this specific network for the coming plan year?
- What happens if I need care outside the licensee's home area?
- What is the marketplace star rating for this plan, if it has one?
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Common questions
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield one company?
No. It is a federation of independent, locally operated licensees that share a brand. The company in your state is a separate business from the one next door, with its own network, pricing and service record.
Why is Blue Cross called something different in my state?
Because the local licensee trades under its own name — Anthem, Florida Blue, Highmark, CareFirst, Horizon, Premera and others are all Blues licensees. You may be looking at a Blues plan without the name making that obvious.
Are Blue Cross reviews from other states relevant?
Not really. A review from another state is about a different company with a different network and a different service record. Look up complaint data for the licensee operating where you live.
Will my Blue Cross plan cover me in another state?
There are national arrangements for members away from home, but the specifics vary by plan. If you split time between states or have a dependent at college elsewhere, ask about it explicitly before enrolling.
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield good insurance?
There is no national answer, and anyone giving you one is guessing. It depends on which licensee operates in your state and which specific plan you are considering. The marketplace star rating and your state's complaint data are the places to look.
Talk it through with a licensed agent
Which option is right depends on your state, your income and which doctors you need to keep. A licensed agent can walk through it with you in about eight minutes.
Free to call, no obligation, and we never ask you for payment. CobraScout is paid by the agency that answers, not by you. TTY 711.
Sources
- HealthCare.gov, Quality ratings of health plans and plan comparison tools
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Consumer Insurance Search and complaint index
- State insurance department consumer complaint and licensee lookups