Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Review & Complaints: Health Insurance (2024)

Premiums
Claims
Feedback
Financial Strength

The organization itself is a not-for-profit outfit that has come together from a collection of previous non-profit healthcare federations, including the original Blue Cross, and the original Blue Shield. The history of the organization dates back to 1929 when the original Blue Cross was established.

Since the organization is a network of health insurance companies rather than one large business, consumers may find different levels of care and customer service depending on what underlying insurance company they are working with.

This generally isn’t an issue, as long as you’re careful with what company you give access to your personal information when you’re buying health insurance. You can also typically find benefits working with an entire network, as the choices for a health plan and coverage options increase.

This review will cover Blue Cross Blue Shield as a whole network, where possible, based on consumer data readily available.

If you need to compare insurance companies, we offer a free online comparison tool that can help you.

What types of insurance products are offered?

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers health insurance products for individuals, families, and businesses through their network. As one of the largest health care provider networks in the United States, Blue Cross Blue Shield’s health insurance plan product offerings reflect the large scale at which they operate. Some of their most popular health insurance plans include:

• Individual health insurance
• High-deductible health insurance
• Health savings accounts
• Dental insurance
• Small business health insurance
• Corporate health insurance

Are there any Blue Cross Blue Shield consumer complaints?

Since Blue Cross Blue Shield operates independently throughout the United States, there are dozens of Better Business Bureau entries for the company, most by state. Since they are headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, this review will use the Illinois BBB rating.

Blue Cross Blue Shield is not accredited with the Better Business Bureau and currently has an A- rating. The first complaint was filed with the BBB in 1941 for Blue Cross Blue Shield. In the previous three years, there have been 101 complaints lodged against Blue Cross Blue Shield, 46 of which have been closed in the past 12 months.

The number one complaint according to the BBB website surrounds problems with billing and collection,  with the health insurance products and services in a close second. In recent years, Blue Cross Blue Shield has been better about responding to customer service complaints on BBB. That has caused their BBB rating to increase from an F. The BBB states the rating given to Blue Cross Blue Shield is because the company has failed to respond to 2 complaints filed against them.

Blue Cross Blue Shield has 37 reviews on BBB. The average score of the reviews is 1.16 out of 5 stars. All of the reviews are complaints, most of which Blue Cross Blue Shield customer service representatives have responded to try to resolve.

How are the Blue Cross Blue Shield consumer research reports?

According to J.D. Power’s 2017 US Member Health Plan Study, Blue Cross Blue Shield scored just above average when factoring together the three largest population centers. California and Texas came in the lowest with an overall rating of 2 out of 5 and New York received a 3 out of 5.

What is the company’s financial rating?

Blue Cross Blue Shield Claims Process

Ease of Filing a Claim (Online, Over the Phone, Mobile Apps)

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers multiple channels for filing claims, including online, over the phone, and through mobile apps. This provides policyholders with convenient options to report and manage their claims.

Average Claim Processing Time

The average claim processing time may vary depending on the specific Blue Cross Blue Shield plan and the nature of the claim. Policyholders should check with their local Blue Cross Blue Shield office or refer to their policy documentation for information on claim processing times.

Customer Feedback on Claim Resolutions and Payouts

Customer feedback on claim resolutions and payouts is an essential aspect of evaluating an insurance provider. Blue Cross Blue Shield has received mixed reviews, with some customers expressing satisfaction with the resolution of their claims, while others have reported issues, particularly regarding billing and collection problems.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Digital and Technological Features

Mobile App Features and Functionality

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers a mobile app with various features and functionalities. These may include the ability to access policy information, submit claims, track claims status, find healthcare providers, and manage account settings. The specific features may vary by state and plan.

Online Account Management Capabilities

Blue Cross Blue Shield provides online account management capabilities for policyholders. This allows users to access and manage their insurance policies, view claims history, make premium payments, and update personal information through the company’s website or online portal.

Digital Tools and Resources

Blue Cross Blue Shield may offer digital tools and resources to assist policyholders in making informed decisions about their healthcare. These tools may include cost calculators, provider directories, prescription drug lookup tools, and wellness resources.

These digital and technological features aim to enhance the overall customer experience and make it easier for policyholders to access and manage their health insurance policies.

What’s the bottom line?

Blue Cross Blue Shield is a very large organization that operates in some capacity within every state in the United States. They offer individual, family, and business plans to fit just about every need available. The underlying organization is not-for-profit, which at least in theory is a good thing. Since the organization is broken up into smaller groups that are state-specific, care can range wildly depending on what state you are in. The ratings range from below average to best depending on what state is being examined.

Don’t forget about our comparison tool, which will help you to compare quotes from various companies.