blue cross and blue shield of south carolina : A Name To Trust

2008-03-25 16:01:35

( Health )



Have you always heard the anthem blue cross and blue shield and wondered exactly what blue cross and blue shield is about? Well here’s how blue cross and blue shield of south carolina started.

A legacy – the beginning

It started with a businessman, a priest and a journalist over 50 years ago. They shared a vision – a prepaid, non-profit hospital plan for a certain state in south carolina. The community supported them and these 3 visionaries began lobbying for legislation to start the company. In 1946 legislation was passed to create a hospital service plan for south carolina. That was blue cross’ first identity – blue shield came later. A vision had become a reality – the birth of blue cross and blue shield of south carolina.

The new company had a busy first few months. In the days when bread cost a dime they had to demonstrate 5000 dollars in assets before the insurance commission would give them a charter in December 1946.

By the end of the next year they were insuring about 30 000 people. Later they got a major client – the government. They were commissioned to handle the first of what would be many federal government contracts with dealing with payments for veteran beneficiaries. In 1948 their net income stood at $27 000 and they had six field representatives. What was to become blue shield and blue cross of south Carolina was well on its way: But at this stage blue shield had just started.

In 1949, they got a charter – a non-profit group covering doctor’s services. With the medical association backing blue shield, doctors began to sign up to participate. A year on blue shield got its insurance license. It hired blue cross to promote, sell and administer its contracts – the beginning of a great and enduring partnership.

In 1957 they made a move – though not a fancy one – temporary offices in an old grocery shop. But business was set to boom. In 1961 they got a new line of business from the government – a contract for a federal employees program. They still have this contract today!

In 1966 they landed the Medicare contract.

And today? Business has never been better – blue cross and blue shield of south carolina – a name to trust.


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