
BCBS non-profit operates on a unique business model that prioritizes community benefit over profit.
This model allows BCBS to reinvest surplus funds into the community, improving healthcare outcomes and quality of life.
As a non-profit, BCBS is exempt from paying federal income taxes, which enables the organization to allocate more resources towards its mission.
BCBS non-profit's focus on community benefit is reflected in its commitment to providing affordable healthcare coverage to underserved populations.
By doing so, BCBS helps reduce healthcare disparities and promotes health equity in the communities it serves.
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Our Mission and History
At Blue Cross and Blue Shield, our mission is to provide quality healthcare to those who need it most. We've been a non-profit organization since 1982.
We're proud to say that our non-profit status allows us to reinvest our profits back into the community, providing better services and more affordable healthcare options to our members.
Our history dates back to 1930, when the first Blue Cross plan was established in Dallas, Texas.
Our Mission

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation's mission is to ensure equitable access to health care for all those in the Commonwealth who are economically, racially, culturally, or socially marginalized.
The Foundation collaborates with public and private organizations to broaden health coverage and reduce barriers to care through grants, research, and policy initiatives.
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Our History
The Foundation was established in 2001 with an initial endowment of $55 million from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. This significant investment laid the groundwork for the organization's mission to expand health care access.
William Van Faasen, then CEO of the insurance company, initiated discussions about addressing the challenges faced by Massachusetts' growing number of uninsured, low-income residents a year before the Foundation's establishment. This proactive approach helped shape the organization's purpose.
The Foundation's early years focused on setting up a grant program with specific objectives, including improving care for low-income and disadvantaged residents, and helping them navigate the health care system. These objectives have remained a core part of the organization's mission.
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To gain a deeper understanding of the issue, the Foundation conducted research to identify who in Massachusetts was uninsured or underinsured, and why. This research informed the organization's advocacy efforts and policy work.
The Foundation's research reports and "summit meetings" helped move lawmakers, advocates, and health care leaders toward consensus on how to address the problem. This collaborative approach ultimately led to the development of the Roadmap to Coverage initiative.
The Roadmap to Coverage initiative provided a framework for discussion, advocacy, and policymaking that led to the enactment of Massachusetts' landmark health reform law in 2006. This significant achievement marked a major milestone in the organization's history.
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Community Involvement
BCBS Non-Profit is deeply committed to giving back to the community through various initiatives.
The organization has a long history of charitable giving, with over $100 million donated to non-profit organizations in the past decade alone.
BCBS Non-Profit partners with local hospitals and healthcare organizations to provide vital services to those in need.
The organization's community health initiatives have helped to improve health outcomes for thousands of people.
BCBS Non-Profit also offers free health clinics and health education programs to underserved communities.
These efforts have made a significant impact on the lives of many individuals and families.
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Structure and Benefits

As a nonprofit organization, Blue Cross Blue Vermont has a unique structure that sets it apart from other companies in the healthcare industry. We have no investor owners, which means our primary purpose is to serve our members and return value to our communities.
We have no shareholders, and 89.7 percent of every premium dollar goes directly to paying health care claims. This is a significant difference from investor-owned companies that prioritize profit over people.
Our nonprofit structure allows us to focus on the right priorities – our members' care and making health care work better for Vermonters. We've been doing this for over 40 years.
Here are some key benefits of our nonprofit structure:
- We have no shareholders – meaning that health care dollars go back into health care.
- We give back to the community – including $200,000 in corporate contributions to 100 not-for-profit organizations in Vermont in 2022.
- We pay taxes – in 2022, we paid taxes and assessments totaling approximately $22.8 million.
Single-State Member Organizations
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi (BCBSMS) is a single-state member organization, one of several in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. It was formed as a privately held company in 1954.
BCBSMS has undergone several name changes over the years, with the most recent change occurring in 1996 when it was converted from a non-profit membership corporation to a mutual insurance company.
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Here are some of the single-state member organizations that are part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association:
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama
- Blue Shield of California
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina
- BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
- Capital Blue Cross (Central Pennsylvania)
- Hawaii Medical Service Association
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
- Independence Blue Cross (Philadelphia, Southeastern Pennsylvania)
BCBSMS has faced controversy in recent years, including a lawsuit filed by the company against the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) for defamation.
Benefits of Our Structure
As a nonprofit organization, Blue Cross Vermont is often asked how they can be considered nonprofit when they report annual revenue. The answer lies in their purpose, not their profits. They have no investor owners, instead being mission-driven to serve their members and return value to their communities.
We have no shareholders, which means that health care dollars go directly into health care. In fact, a whopping 89.7 percent of every premium dollar goes directly to paying health care claims.
We give back to the community in a big way, with $200,000 in corporate contributions to 100 not-for-profit organizations in Vermont in 2022.
Our work is informed by community leaders who bring diverse perspectives from many sectors of Vermont's economy.
Here are some key benefits of our nonprofit structure:
- We have no shareholders, allowing 89.7% of every premium dollar to go directly to paying health care claims.
- We give back to the community, with $200,000 in corporate contributions to 100 not-for-profit organizations in Vermont in 2022.
- We pay taxes, totaling approximately $22.8 million in 2022.
Our business is not primarily motivated by profit, with operating expenses averaging approximately one percent. This allows us to focus on the right priorities – our members' care and making health care work better for Vermonters.
Financial Stability
We maintain reserves to ensure we can meet our financial obligations, including paying for health care needs of our members. These reserves are required by law and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Our company's financial stability is crucial to moderating premium increases for our members in times of financial uncertainty.
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Status Debate
The nonprofit status of BCBS has been debated, with some members retaining this status while others do not.
Critics argue that those who do hold excessive amounts of cash or pay their executives too much. For instance, the CEO of BCBS Michigan earned over $19 million in 2018, more than the CEOs of Ford or Fiat Chrysler during the same year.
BCBS of Illinois, also known as Health Care Service Corporation, was sued over its nonprofit status in 2014, but the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice and the dismissal ruling was upheld on appeal.
Similar lawsuits occurred in other states, such as Oregon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Shield really nonprofit?
Blue Shield of California is a mission-based, not-for-profit health plan, but its foundation is funded by the company itself. This unique setup allows Blue Shield to prioritize community health initiatives without relying on external funding sources.
Is Blue Cross a nonprofit organization?
Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is a non-profit healthcare organization. Founded in 1939, it operates with a mission to provide affordable healthcare to its members.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield make a profit?
Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield reported a combined net gain of $146.6 million in 2023, indicating a profitable year. Their net margin was 1.6%, with an operating margin of 0.4% and an investment gain of $98.8 million.
Sources
- https://www.bluecrossmafoundation.org/about-us
- https://foodbankcny.org/about-us/news/show/excellus-bluecross-blueshield-provides-65-community-health-awards-to-area-nonprofits
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Cross_Blue_Shield_Association
- https://www.bluecrossma.org/aboutus/financials
- https://www.bluecrossvt.org/health-community/blog/listing/why-you-benefit-our-structure-nonprofit-organization
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