BCBS
Medical abbreviation · Health Insurance
| Stands for | Blue Cross Blue Shield |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
BCBS stands for Blue Cross Blue Shield, a health insurance abbreviation.
Federation of more than 30 independent, locally operated health insurance companies licensed by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, together covering about one in three Americans. Members can use Blue providers nationwide through the BlueCard program.
Example: My BCBS card has a suitcase logo, so out-of-state claims go through BlueCard.
Usage notes
Blue Cross began with a 1929 prepaid hospital plan for Dallas schoolteachers at Baylor University Hospital, and Blue Shield plans for physician services followed in 1939. The two national associations merged in 1982. Some Blue plans are nonprofits, while others, such as those owned by Elevance Health, are for-profit.
Related abbreviations
More health insurance abbreviations
- AOB – Assignment of benefits
- APC – Ambulatory payment classification
- APTC – Advance premium tax credit
- ASO – Administrative services only
- AV – Actuarial value
- BAA – Business associate agreement
- CDHP – Consumer-directed health plan
- CDM – Charge description master (chargemaster)
- CHIP – Children's Health Insurance Program
- CMS – Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- CMS-1500 – CMS-1500 claim form
- COB – Coordination of benefits
See all 107 health insurance abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.