Describe the importance of Blue Cross and blue Shield plans in the evolution of health care coverage.
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Health insurance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 1 History and evolution; 2 How it works. 2.1 Health plan vs. health ... Coverage limits: Some health plans only pay for health care up to a certain dollar ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_insurance
Competition In Health Care: Its Evolution Over The Past Decade ... Competition In Health Care: Its Evolution Over The Past Decade. Paul B. Ginsburg . Understanding the roller-coaster experience with the use of market forces ...
http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/abstract/24/6/1512
Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans have played a significant role in the evolution of health care coverage. Their importance lies in several aspects:
1. Pioneers of health insurance: Blue Cross and Blue Shield were among the first organizations to promote health insurance coverage in the United States. Blue Cross plans were initially established to help individuals cover the costs of hospital services, while Blue Shield plans focused on providing coverage for physician services. They were instrumental in introducing the concept of health insurance as a means to protect individuals from high medical expenses.
2. Non-profit structure: Historically, Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans were organized as non-profit entities. This allowed them to prioritize the interests of policyholders rather than shareholders. By operating with a non-profit motive, they were able to direct more funds towards providing comprehensive and affordable health insurance coverage.
3. Coverage for broad populations: Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans have a wide reach across the United States, providing coverage to millions of individuals, including both private and government-sponsored programs. They have contributed to the expansion of health care coverage, ensuring that a significant portion of the population has access to affordable health insurance.
4. Standardization of benefits: Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans have played a crucial role in developing standardized benefits and coverage guidelines. They have worked collaboratively with health care providers, policyholders, and regulatory bodies to determine coverage parameters, reimbursement rates, and quality assurance measures. This standardization has brought transparency and consistency to health care coverage, facilitating easier comparisons and decision-making for policyholders.
5. Innovation and competition: Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans have spurred innovation and competition within the health insurance industry. Their presence has motivated other insurers to develop similar plans and create new offerings to remain competitive. This has led to market diversification, increased options for consumers, and the introduction of new features and benefits in health care coverage.
To summarize, Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans have been pivotal in the evolution of health care coverage. They have contributed to the introduction of health insurance as a concept, expanded coverage to broad populations, standardized benefits, fostered innovation and competition, and prioritized the interests of policyholders.