In Florida Blue Cross Blue Shield is not only the most popular health insurance company, they enjoy a market advantage as well. The history of Blue Cross Blue Shield is a very interesting one, but the pertinent facts here are that Blue Cross Blue Shield has a different franchise so to speak in every state.
Therefore, just because people trust the Blue Cross in New England doesn’t mean the same company is running the show in say, Georgia. In fact the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia is a great company and is run by Anthem. In Florida, it was a small health insurance company much like Vista that was thrust into the spotlight when they got chosen to become the Blue Cross representative for Florida. In California, there are actually Blue Crosses (and one of them is famous for rescinding health policies!) and they compete with each other in most of the state.
In Florida, Blue Cross is non-profit and has been very helpful to the health reform as an example their Miami Dade Blue has been able to offer quality health insurance coverage to over a million people, although the plan has been considerably less popular much to my chagrin. People are begging for affordable health insurance and they have elect to pay higher premiums or no premiums at all rather than go with this great Miami health insurance plan which doesn’t have a defined office visit copay.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida has also been accused of having an entirely too large market share in Florida and due to their status as non profit their rates could be lower. But they do have a strong vision of the future of health care so have a look at The Blue Cross Blue Shield Vision of Health Care Reform.
I have also recently gotten my filthy little hands on a copy of the Florida Blue Cross Blue Shield Prescription Guide.2009 Medication Guide from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
To get a Florida BCBS quote or to apply for a Blue Cross Blue Shield policy please follow the link and get Blue
Overall the company is fantastic and we are proud to have a unique partnership with them. We have clipped the wikipidia entry below for some generalities.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Retail Stores
In Florida Blue Cross Blue Shield has begun opening up retail store outlets in order to facilitate the sale of health insurance. East Coast Health Insurance on the other hand is centrally located in Broward County and we welcome walk in into our cozy Deerfield Beach office. On the third floor of the Bank Atlantic Building on Hillsboro Beach Blvd (Suite 303), we are a more convenient option as there is never a wait to see our health insurance brokers and best of all is that we can show you Blue Cross Blue Shield as well as 7 other Florida health insurance companies (Blue Cross is a little more expensive in Broward then their non profit brethren Avmed) to make sure you pick not only the most affordable plan but also the most comprehensive. Our exact address is 10 Fairway Drive, Suite 303 in Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441. If you would prefer an appointment (we also come to you!) you can call us at 888 803 5917.
Company Overview
BlueCross BlueShield of Florida is an non-profit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, based in Jacksonville, Florida and with offices throughout the state of Florida. BCBSF is Florida’s largest and oldest health insurance company, and its subsidiaries serve more than 6 million Floridians. The company offers health insurance products, indemnity, and Medicare products. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida also provides accident and dismemberment, long-term care, dental, disability, and workers compensation insurance, as well as pharmacy plans, discount cards, and health savings accounts. BCBSF is one of Florida’s largest employers with over 6,000 employees statewide, with offices in Jacksonville, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, and Pensacola, and retail stores in Jacksonville and Orlando. BCBSF reported $8.3 billion in revenue for 2007 for the parent company and its subsidiaries.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida is the state’s largest and oldest health insurance provider. The company provides a wide range of health insurance products and related services to some 9 million members in Florida. The company’s health insurance products include HMO, PPO, traditional indemnity, and supplemental Medicare. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida also provides accident and dismemberment, long-term care, dental, disability, and workers compensation insurance. Other services include the administration of pharmacy programs and health savings and flexible spending accounts.
History
In 1944, the Florida Hospital Service Corporation, the forerunner of Blue Cross of Florida, began its operations in Jacksonville with a staff of four. Two years later, the Florida Medical Services Corporation was formed, eventually becoming Blue Shield of Florida. The two companies later consolidated in 1980 to form Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida.
Organizational Structure
Health Business – The core of BCBSF business provides a full spectrum of health care plans and services. It carries the Blue brand and represents the largest customer base – approximately 4.2 million members and a 32 percent market share. Life and Specialty Ventures – A group of insurance and related businesses that provide solutions for company benefit and employee financial security needs. Major product lines include life, disability, dental, long-term care and third-party administration. Government Business – This business focuses primarily on traditional Medicare program administration and diversification into related markets. This sector is managed by the BCBSF subsidiary First Coast Service Options.
Statewide Sales Offices
Ft. Lauderdale
Gainesville
Miami
Panama City
Port St. Lucie
Tallahassee
West Palm Beach
