| There is uncertainty in life and insurance is designed to | | | | trade organization linking 38 independent regional health |
| lessen the burden of this uncertainty. The principle of | | | | insurance companies in the United States, Puerto Rico |
| operation is simple, the insurer (that is Blue Cross | | | | and Canada. It achieved its present form in 1982 after |
| Insurance company or Blue Shield in this case) pays | | | | the merger of Blue Cross association and the national |
| the medical costs of the insured (you) if the insured | | | | association of Blue Shield plans. |
| becomes sick due to covered causes like disease, | | | | Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans are very closely |
| disability, accident etc. | | | | linked to managed health care in the United States. |
| In return the insured (you) pays a monthly or annual | | | | The association is also the administrator for Social |
| premium (a monetary amount usually around 200 | | | | Security in a large number of states. Traditionally Blue |
| dollars a month, however the exact amount varies | | | | Cross provides hospital coverage and Blue Shield |
| according to the insurance plan purchased) to the | | | | provides medical coverage. In different states Blue |
| insurer. As a general rule, the larger number of people | | | | Cross and Blue Shield companies have different |
| in the insurance group, the lesser is the premium. This is | | | | names. The names of the companies are Wellpoint, |
| due to the distribution of costs. Blue Cross Insurance is | | | | Carefirst, Healthcare service corporation, Highmark, |
| an insurance company providing health insurance in the | | | | Premera, The Regence Group, Wellmark, Blue Cross |
| United States and Canada. Blue Cross Insurance was | | | | Blue Shield of various states, La Cruz Azul de Puerto |
| started by a university president Justin Ford Kimball. It | | | | Rico, Triple-S (in Puerto Rico) and The Canadian |
| started out in a very humble way as hospital care for | | | | Association of Blue cross Plans ( In Canada). |
| school teachers in Dallas in 1929. The premium was | | | | It is very important to read all the fine print of the |
| only 6 dollars a year! Within 10 years of its formation | | | | insurance plans as health insurance is usually required |
| the Blue Cross symbol was adapted by the American | | | | in cases of emergencies like accidents or during illness. |
| Hospital Association. Presently one of every three | | | | During such a situation it would come as a nasty |
| American is covered by Blue Shield or Blue Cross | | | | surprise if you find out a particular clause which denies |
| making them the largest health care provider in the | | | | insurance. Also the important phone numbers should be |
| United States. | | | | noted down for such emergencies. |
| Presently Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a | | | | |