KENNEBUNK, Maine, Jan. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mark Farrah Associates (MFA), www.markfarrah.com, announces the release of an analysis brief presenting a look at Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) membership and market share. For decades, Blues plans have been health insurance leaders and the Blues brand continues to generate broad-based market appeal. Subscribers to the Health Coverage Portal™ may routinely access membership and financials for health plans industrywide with the benefit of a filter to look at data for Blues plans only. This analysis provided a snapshot of the Blues market position using 3rd quarter 2015 membership figures for the 36 licensed BCBS companies.
As of September 2015, Blues plans and affiliates provided comprehensive medical coverage for 104.7 million members, representing 41% of the total health insurance market. This speaks to the influence BCBS plans wield in the healthcare industry both politically and economically. According to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Blues plans are accepted by more than 90% of doctors and specialists nationwide. Furthermore, these plans serve 85% of Fortune 100 companies and 76% of Fortune 500 companies.
An assessment of comprehensive medical membership by state revealed that BCBS companies command more than 60% of the health insurance market share in 10 states, up from 9 states at the same point in 2014. However, unlike the 2014 growth surge due to the ACA, in the last year Blues organizations experienced a more modest aggregate medical membership increase of less than one percent. The Anthem and Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) companies are heads above other Blues organizations with respect to membership enrolling 30.8 million and 14.6 million, respectfully. In this year-over-year assessment, Anthem drove growth in the Blues segment with a 4.1% increase in health enrollment as compared to a decline of 1.1% for the rest of the Blues as a whole. If the Anthem – Cigna merger is approved, Anthem stands to gain 13.4 million medical lives which will significantly strengthen their industry position and by default boost Blues market share.
To read the full text of "Blue Cross and Blue Shield Market Share Snapshot 2015", visit the Analysis Briefs library on Mark Farrah Associates' website.
About Mark Farrah Associates (MFA)
MFA is a leading data aggregator and publisher providing health plan market data and analysis tools for the healthcare industry. Committed to simplifying analysis of health insurance business, our products include Health Coverage Portal™, County Health Coverage™, Medicare Business Online™, Medicare Benefits Analyzer™, Health Insurer Insights™, and Health Plans USA™.
Contacts:
Mark Farrah Associates
Ann Marie Wolfe, 412-944-2417
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SOURCE Mark Farrah Associates (MFA)
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