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BlueCross BlueShield

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8.0

Overall Score

LAST UPDATED: March 22nd, 2024

Health insurance helps you control your medical expenses by giving your access to negotiated rates and cost-sharing for your out-of-pocket costs. Choosing a trusted insurer is important.

BlueCross BlueShield is a renowned and well-known insurance provider. With BlueCross BlueShield, customers can have access to great member resources. Customers can also purchase dental and vision coverage.

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BlueCross BlueShield is also a parent company of other health insurance companies that provide BlueCross BlueShield insurance in specific regions and states. BlueCross BlueShield companies include Anthem, CareFirst, Regence, Wellmark, Highmark, Capital, Empire, Independence, Horizon, and Premera.

It oversees 36 different insurance companies, all of which are locally operated. As a nationwide company in the health insurance marketplace, BlueCross BlueShield has helped millions of people with health insurance plans since its founding in 1929.

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The Good

  • Positive Customer Reviews
  • Health Plan Selection
  • Member Resources
  • Large Provider Network
  • Blue365 Rewards Program
  • Helpful Website and Customer Service
  • Availability and Acceptance

Positive Customer Reviews

BlueCross BlueSheild has earned many positive customer ratings and reviews on Best Company. These reviews mention satisfaction with claims, coverage, and customer service.

Issues with claims and coverage are common in the health insurance industry, so it's a good sign that BlueCross BlueSheild's positive reviews highlight satisfaction with these things.

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Customer Review: Nathan from Broomfield, Colorado

"I have always been impressed with the quality and quantity of coverage I have gotten from Blue Cross Blue Shield. They have helped me get through some very trying times and pay for my medication!"

Health Plan Selection

BlueCross BlueShield insurance plans are available nationwide and widely accepted at hospitals and doctor's offices.

Coverage options range in many types — from a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) to Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). These plan-types indicate the kind of provider network available with the health plan. PPO plans generally offer coverage for seeing out-of-network providers, though the coverage levels are not as high as for in-network providers. HMO plans only offer out-of-network coverage in emergency situations.

BlueCross BlueShield also offers plans with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs), and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). BlueCross BlueShield also offers indemnity, Point of Service (POS), and short-term health insurance plan options.

The coverage and details of each medical policy varies. The costs depend partially on your health situation (including age, number of group being insured, health status, etc.) and your location. When you initially search for a health plan to understand the benefits and costs of monthly payments, expect to put in your location and some personal information, as these points will help BlueCross BlueShield draw up a list of potential plans for you.

BlueCross BlueShield also offers Medicare and Medicaid plans. Its Medicare plans include Medicare Supplement insurance (Medigap), Part D (prescription drug plans), and Medicare Advantage plans. 

A Medicare Advantage plan covers the same medical care as Original Medicare (Medicare Part B and Part A) in a single health plan. Most also include qualifying prescription drug coverage, which means you don't have to buy additional medical policies. Check your plan's drug formulary to understand what prescription drugs are covered. Medicare Advantage plans are also called Medicare Part C.

Medigap plans can be purchased to help pay for Original Medicare out-of-pocket costs (copayment and coinsurance). To qualify for Medicare benefits, individuals generally must be at least 65 years old.

In addition to health care coverage options, the some BlueCross BlueShield Plan offerings include dental insurance plans and vision insurance. Dental plans and vision plans may also vary by location, so it's important to work with the subsidiary in your area to get specific information. Those looking for vision or dental coverage can find good policies through BlueCross BlueShield.

As you evaluate your health insurance options, keep your health needs and budget in mind. The amount you pay for a health plan is not limited to the monthly premiums. In addition to considering the cost of premiums, you should also consider how expensive the out-of-pocket expenses will be. Sometimes paying a higher premium will mean having cheaper out-of-pocket expenses (copays and coinsurance) or lower out-of-pocket maximums.

Member Resources

BlueCross BlueShield keeps up its positive reputation with members with both basic and advanced tools. Some of these tools are specific to each of its subsidiaries, and include customer service numbers and mobile apps.

Large Provider Network

BlueCross BlueShield's network of doctors and specialists is gigantic. BlueCross BlueShield insurance is accepted all over the United States. Because of the wide acceptance, it should be easy to find a network provider. Treatment and other medical services you receive from these providers will be covered in part by this company.

Blue365 Rewards Program

Another unique feature of the Blue365 program. Through Blue365, members can receive discounts on all sorts of health-related products and services. Some discounts and deals change from time to time. Blue365 saves you money and provides added motivation for you to get and stay healthy. Not every BlueCross BlueShield subsidiary may participate in Blue365, so check with your subsidiary to see if it does.

Helpful Website and Customer Service

The BlueCross BlueShield website offers general information on its website and makes it easy to find your local BlueCross BlueShield subsidiary. You can search for plans and get a quote, narrowing your search by location and the type of plan you're looking for.

BlueCross BlueShield answers frequently asked questions, have social media outlets to connect with clients more personally, and of course, provide mailing information for when you need to mail in a form or contact them via snail mail.

In short, BlueCross BlueShield takes lots of different steps to meet the needs of customers all over the US. It is available 24/7 to members and has set up its customer service tools to be convenient, immediate, and of course, helpful-even in the details.

Availability and Acceptance

BlueCross BlueShield is available in all 50 states, and is widely accepted by doctors and hospitals. Specific health care provider network access, however, does depend on the individual health plan.

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Customer Review: Rathan Kumar from Trabuco Canyon, California

"I had blue cross blue shield for 3 years when I was with my old job. They had a lot of providers in my area that worked great."

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The Bad

  • State-Specific Coverage

State-Specific Coverage

For better or worse, the coverage you receive through your health plan depends partially on the state you live in (the state in which you would use that insurance). In other words, you can't just look up a PPO plan at BlueCross BlueShield and expect the same coverage percentages, out-of-pocket costs, and deductibles for any state. The BlueCross BlueShield website will direct you to the company that serves your area before you can get information on plan options.

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The Bottom Line

In many ways, it's not surprising that there are inconsistencies in health insurance plan details at BlueCross BlueShield. After all, the health insurer is large and works though several subsidiaries. It provides coverage nationwide, and has an extensive history and reputation.

Its growth has brought both positive and negative consequences. For example, it's positive that BlueCross BlueShield is accepted at such a high percentages of hospitals, doctors, and urgent care centers because it is a well-known brand in the health insurance marketplace. But on the other hand, the office you work with locally could be one of those with a poor reputation since BlueCross BlueShield doesn't micromanage each subsidiary.

It's important to make sure any health plan you choose offers the medical coverage you need and is affordable. The best insurance plan for someone else may not necessarily be the best fit for your situation. Be sure to understand your health needs and what would fit into your budget. Choosing a reliable health insurer is also important. Reading health insurance reviews from customers can give you a sense of the general quality BlueCross BlueShield offers.

Long story short, BlueCross BlueShield is still a recommended insurance company. There are some regional differences with BlueCross BlueShield companies, so interested people should work with the insurer directly to learn more about coverage, benefits, premium rates, deductible, and out-of-pocket limit available with each health plan.

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Star Rating

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3.0

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837 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

43%

4 grade

23%

3 grade

8%

2 grade

6%

1 grade

21%

Sentiment Criteria

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Quality

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Tenzin Namdak Richmond, CA

Bluecross is treating my body as test and trial - Heinous crimes. I always thought Bluecross has a good benefit feature than other providers like UHG. Our company recently changed the benefit from UHG to Bluecross and thats when the problem started to an extend where my rights to have the right medication for my sickness is bluntly manipulated by Blueshield insurance company. I have been seeing Dr. Michael Stevens, a rheumatologist for over 6 years now and I have been on ramacade unfusion for over 6 years now. When I finally getting to see the real results in a positive way back in 2021/22 time frame, I was so happy to see some progress in my health and it was like a miracle. Back then I had UHG, and not Bluecross. Eversince Bluecross came into our current benefit, first of all, they started pushing me to move from ramacade to Avsola for no reason. I started showing worse symptoms when I started taking Avsola. Docctor has the record and history on how my health was deteriorating because of Avsola. Now, Bluecross wont cover enough to pay for the Avsola and my doctor's office said they cant administer Avsola because the reimbursement is so low that they cant even afford to work with bluecross. The grand scheme of Bluecross what i think is - they have a better business deal with other inferior pharma medecation and trying to push those medications down patients throat without thinking at all about patient's life. I dont want my body to be treated as a test trial for insurance and pharma to make money and let my body and life suffer because of that. I have already sent the entire history to my company's legal health advocate to investigate and take help so that this doesnt happen to other employees within the organization and we would eventually regret our company switched from UHG to Bluecross. I will be spreading this across my other social media channels - LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTik. I am just waiting for my twitter account to be re-activated. My final advise is - If you dont want to take risk with your health insurance and have any chronic diseases like arthritis, beware before choosing the provider.

2 months ago

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Gary Silver Spring, MD

I was told by friends and family that this is a good company. It seemed to be true until my wife who is on my plan tried to get a procedure pre-certified and BCBS essentially refused to do it based on nothing as far as I can tell? It was as if their automated system had an issue with some input and BCBS couldn't fix it. The patient help line did all they could but admitted they couldn't fix it and all they could do was refer it to precert which was per them overloaded and inadequate. The Drs office waited on hold for hours and when I tried to contact the precertification line I was on hold for over an hour (twice) before the recording hung up on me. This is service? I eventually got through and the guy at BCBS said that even though the Drs office had done the submission via their system they would have to fax the request as well to a special number. We're still waiting for service and meanwhile my wife is going without critical health care?!? Will BCBS refund my premiums for their lack of service? I'm not holding my breath. I wish I would've stayed with Humana.

1 year ago

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Robert Minneapolis, MN

BCBS is now a nickel and dime inc. co. This past month I went to the doctor for routine blood tests and I got the surprise of my life this time when the bill came. I was charged $606 from labcorp then BCBS said they gave me a "discount" then the bill was down to $49.50 which was my share, WTF? When I called BCBS the guy tells me they never paid labcorp a dime, so how am I on the hook for this and the provider was in network. Both of these companies are crooks and need to be investigated for this here in MN. I plan to take my complaint on BCBS to the Atty. general of MN. Keith E and we all know who he put in jail last year. After Dec. of this year I will dump BCBS and just use my Medicare with a supplement carrier. BCBS sucks and their people are horrible to deal with always giving you the run around.

1 year ago

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John Merriman Austin, TX

I'd rather go to the dentist for a root canal than have to deal with administrative issues with BCBS. I've been trying to add my daughter as a dependent on my existing account for nearly a month. I've spent hours on the phone with "customer service". Each time I call in, I have to start the entire saga over again. They've had me fill out two completely different applications, and can't seem to get her added. First, you can only fax or mail documents to them. Seriously! I have to get in the car, drive down to a fedex store and pay to get them the documents. Or, I could just drop them in the mail. Nearly a month in, and they now show both applications they made me fill out as incomplete. Meanwhile, my daughter doesn't have coverage.

2 years ago

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Desiree Springfield, VT

This is the worst insurance me and my husband have ever had. With a high deductible of 10,000 and the only coverage that gets 100% without meeting the deductible is preventative. The reason i'm giving such a bad review is i learned that prenatal care is considered preventative. Blue Cross does not consider prenatal care preventive and will not cover one visit until we meet our $10,000 deductible. This does not include our premiums that my husband and i pay each month. There is no point in having this insurance when they cover nothing but a routine physical. i should just save the premium and put in into a health savings account. Blue Cross Blue Shield is the worst insurance company out there.

4 years ago

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Cassidy Gundersen Orem, UT

I have been with Blue Cross for over 10 years. And I have found that they are average in every way. Their customer service is mediocre. I called to get help finding a breast pump that was covered under insurance, and they were unable to help me and told me to just buy one and then maybe it would be covered. I spent many hours on the phone trying to get an answer before a supervisor finally gave me that response. There are many locations that are out of network for them and it makes it difficult to find a provider. I often get reminders from companies that they have not paid out their portion of the bill and in some cases it has been after months of follow-ups that they payout or send reimbursements.

6 years ago

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Stephanie Sponheimer

Worst insurance I have ever had and had to deal with. They give conflicting information to providers. Saying a pre- auth isn’t needed but then denying a claim because there wasn’t one and saying a procedure is covered but then deny it I have two claims that are being appealed. If you have health issues this is the last thing you want to be dealing with

1 year ago

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Rene Ayala Jarrell, TX

Well every time I have to call this guys First for start the people how answer the phone You can ask for some information about your company And they never know nothing about They always tell you Your company that’s not have that program They take to long to answer the phone and when that happen you will end up with to much frustration Because of their job Secondly and list importan They take to long to aprove something

4 years ago

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Chronic migraine sufferer Gurnee, IL

I purchased COBRA coverage between job changes for a month. BCBS rescinded all of my prior authorizations for medication, and then, they drug their feet approving the medications again so that I couldn’t get them on time and fill them the two times I should have been able to under my paid insurance plan. Really crappy thing to do when people need their medications and pay for insurance for that purpose. Worst part-I will still have the same coverage at my new job. BCBS jerks.

4 years ago

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Antoine Bell

Blue Cross Blue Shield overly scrutinize prescription coverage to the point of nickeling and diming it's customers. They are very inconsistent when it comes to what is covered. You can have a prescription that is covered one month and the next month it's not. Moreover, their automated phone handling service for incoming customer calls is confusing and wastes a lot of time for it's customers which results in unhappy and frustrating customer call. For the amount of money we pay, we deserve better prescription coverage and better first impression phone handling.

5 years ago

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Becky Rasmussen American Fork, UT

We've used Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance for the past 3 years and it's the worst insurance we've ever had. They'll pay your bills......after you've been sent to collections for their lack of response to the medical provider of the past 9 months. You will have to contact their 3rd party provider over EVERY claim to verify that you weren't insured at work, in a car accident or on the premise of another responsible party. The plans offered through my husbands employer all had high deductibles and didn't cover our preferred hospitals or clinics. My husband recently left his place of employment seeking better healthcare services.

5 years ago

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Amanda MacIsaac GA

Medically necessary tests are denied frequently as are necessary functional procedures such as Botox for migraines due to the company not fairly or justly reimbursing providers for services. I previously had Aetna through my employer and it covered nearly everything needed.

1 year ago

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Igwe Matthias Xll SC

What is the grace period policy of BCBS so ruthless? Why would it take 4 days to remove a grace period when people get their account up to date? You are dealing with people's health and life. That policy needs to be reviewed and removed. When an account is up to date, there should be no restrictions.

1 year ago

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Lois Clyde, NC

First; 3 times asked for home visit to be done with both my husband and me. He had dementia and was very confused. Nurse called and wanted to come to see me only I refused. Second: Now a few years later I am on a patch for neuropathy that they will no longer cover $$$ so instead I will be on two more oral medications?

4 years ago

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Alex St Louis, MO

Obscures your plan on their website, bounces you around and hangs up on you if you call, won't notify you if you have outstanding bills. Most health insurance companies are bloated and have a poor record of service, BCBS is no different.

5 years ago

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Allie

My experience with blue cross hasn't been that great. I pay them every month and still have worthless coverage. That's why when I had Kaiser insurance I preferred them over blue cross. But now I no longer have Kaiser and now I'm stuck using Blue cross blueshield.

5 years ago

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Dale Ash Sandy, UT

My company forced me to use Blue Cross Blue Shield. It was not a good experience. They limit your physician choices. Many of my doctors were not on their panel. Their customer service was not as good as my prior health insurance provider. They are OK. Certainly better than not having health insurance.

6 years ago

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Nathan Hill Pleasant Grove, UT

We have been using Blue Cross Blue Shield for about 3 years now and we really haven't liked the high deductible plan we have had or the coverage. We have a large family with a lot of expenses so it's hard to pay so much for our deductible. This insurance company hasn't covered things as well as some of our past providers. Our dealing with customer service has been fine though. It's also hard to have IHC Hospitals out of their network as we have needed to take our children to the hospital near us and not been able to.

5 years ago

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Emily Tallahassee, FL

I had their coverage under Medicaid and I was paying so much for my monthly premiums and had to pay so much out of pocket and had very limited provider options. The insurance I have now is much better and I pay less.

4 years ago

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Mike Judkins

company reps word is not official. representation without documentation is not reliable. Reps made statements over the phone and deny claims later because I the customer have no proof .

5 years ago

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jingqi lei Rockville, MD

I have been using the health insurance here for a very long time. The customer service is of high quality, but the premium fee for every two weeks has more than doubled, from less than $100 back in 2007 to more than $200 now :(

3 years ago

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Mike Curtis Guyton, GA

Generally my experience has been OK. However, I recently had lab work done and when the lab submitted the bill to the insurance administrator it was rejected as out of network and not paid. The problem: I called BCBS to find an in-network lab and used the one they identified

3 years ago

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Whidden Houston, TX

My wife had a stroke on january 1 and was in rehab from jan 15 to july 30 then they refused treatment after that and said we would have to pay out of pocket.

2 years ago

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James L. Chavis, Jr. Charlotte, NC

I am dissatisfied with BCBS. I average 3 hours weekly on the phone with them straightening out various things or just applying lube so the f*cking won't hurt so bad.

3 years ago

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Jen Burt Herriman, UT

My review is of BlueCross Blue Shield of Idaho. I tried to receive information on whether a provider was covered and after several hours on the phone the told me he wasn't. I found out later that he was covered.

3 years ago

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Dayna Riverton, UT

I wasn’t that impressed with Blue Cross Blue Shield as an insurance company. They have limited doctors in their network and seem to try to get out of paying for a lot of things.

3 years ago

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Kevin Lewis Acworth, GA

You pay more out of pocket with deductibles, and what you are responsible, plus the costs are very high from your paycheck.

3 years ago

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Stephen Damiano Jr. Revere, MA

They make it seem like the cover so much and come with a heavy price tag. They do cover quite a bit but not entirely and not what you expect them to.

5 years ago

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Brandi Wilhoit Fairfax, VA

I had this insurance company from the time I was a child until I was 18. They have always been great at covering cost. Now the medication copay is outrageous.

3 years ago

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Amy Boren American Fork, UT

We were searching for private insurance and got an estimate. It was so much higher than the other companies that we looked at that we went with another company.

4 years ago

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Melanie E Draper, UT

Blue Cross Blue Shield customer service needs service. They are difficult to work with and more eager to deny a claim than to fulfill their contracted obligation.

5 years ago

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Mike Milton, DE

Customer service is terrific - 5 stars. Issue I have is the cost and the lack of RX and services covered

3 years ago

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Anonymous

coverage is poor and inconsistent. also has many conditions to ensure that they never payout appropriately

3 years ago

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Judy Butterfield Chattanooga, TN

Its been about 15 years but they were my primary insurance and were SO expensive. Was actually glad to be old enough to get on Medicare.

3 years ago

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Valencia P.

They are horrible! The coverage isn't enough and the deductibles are ridiculous.

4 years ago

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Sonja Squyres Ingleside, TX

Between my monthly payment and my deductables i can barely afford the doctor visit!

5 years ago

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Samantha Grabert Salt Lake City, UT

Was ok every year our deductible went up. Changed companies with similar coverage but a lot more affordable.

2 years ago

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marc wiener

terrible csutomer servive and never can find a in network provider

4 years ago

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Jeff

bad claim processing, people do not know their jobs, and are rude!

4 years ago

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NothingChanged

I have had several problems with them and cover my appointments.

4 years ago

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Robert Broome

The premiums are criminally expensive and the coverage is limited

5 years ago

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NSM

I like nothing. Everything is complicated and difficult to understand.

5 years ago

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Brittney Veillon Denham Springs, LA

Always makes our rates and our prices better can not find any better insurance for my health

3 years ago

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Greg Hanold Batesville, MS

Costs are too high for what you get

4 years ago

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Annmarie

More compassion when approving diagnostic testing

5 years ago

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Sally Theriault

They don't cover enough on prescriptions

5 years ago

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Jordan Garella Tallahassee, FL

This insurance does not cover birth control related expenses

2 years ago