Hawaii Medical Service Association, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Join Stellarus to Power Innovation in Health Care
Not-for-profit health plans adopt Stellarus' technology platform to improve member experience, health outcomes in their communities
OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellarus, a healthcare technology and strategic solutions company, announced today that Hawaii Medical Service Association and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas joined as co-founders. The not-for-profit health plans are joining Blue Shield of California in using Stellarus' technology innovation platform, powered by artificial intelligence, to provide access to care that's smarter, more personalized and more affordable for the communities they serve.
In today's healthcare system, the adoption and use of the latest technology determine who can deliver affordable, high-quality care, and who gets left behind. But building or integrating advanced digital capabilities requires investments that most health plans simply can't afford. Stellarus was designed to change that.
Stellarus enables health plans of all sizes to leverage modern technology and artificial intelligence to improve the way they serve their members. Whether it's responding to member inquiries more quickly and accurately or providing near real-time authorizations for care, the Stellarus technology innovation platform makes health plans more efficient and the member experience better.
"We launched Stellarus because health care doesn't need more standalone solutions — it needs a step-change that allows good organizations to do more of what they do best," said Vanessa Colella, president and CEO of Stellarus. "Through Stellarus' technology, health plans can stay independent and community-focused while gaining access to innovative capabilities that create a healthcare system worthy of our family, friends and neighbors."
Technology platform to transform health care for all
Stellarus makes it seamless for health plans to integrate into its technology platform, which is comprised of core foundational components including:
- Experience Cube: An intelligent data hub that brings together disparate sources of information into a single source of truth.
- Digital health record: A comprehensive, longitudinal health record for every member that draws in data from the Experience Cube in near real-time.
By combining more than 60 data sets — ranging from clinical health and social demographic information to provider, billing and claims data — into a unified and secure source of truth for health plans, Stellarus' platform provides leading capabilities such as:
- Member and physician access to a comprehensive digital health record that facilitates truly personalized care.
- Fully automated, near real-time completion of transactions such as prior authorization.
- Technology-enabled, personalized support for patients with chronic conditions.
"The healthcare system can't keep asking people to pay more for less," said Paul Markovich, president and CEO of Ascendiun, Stellarus' parent company. "Through Stellarus, we're helping local and regional health plans make high-quality health care affordable and personal for everyone."
Community impact powered by tech-enabled capabilities
For over 80 years Hawaii Medical Service Association, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and Blue Shield of California have each operated as independent, not-for-profit health plans focused on serving the unique needs of their markets.
"The people of Hawaii deserve world-class care," said Mark M. Mugiishi, MD, FACS, president and CEO of Hawaii Medical Service Association. "Given Hawaii's size and geographic position, we are better off if we enhance our ability to innovate and grow our technological capacities by investing in Stellarus with like-minded, mission-driven, not-for-profit health plans that are trying to accomplish the same things and solve the same problems. Together, we can achieve remarkable advances and provide the best possible care for our community while remaining uniquely independent and local."
"Our purpose has always been to care for the people and communities we serve," said Matt All, president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. "By joining Stellarus, we're investing together with other not-for-profit plans to build something new — a modern, connected system designed to make health care simpler, more affordable and more personal. This collaboration lets us shape innovation on a national scale while keeping the local independence that ensures we never lose sight of the people who count on us."
Announced earlier this year, Stellarus is part of the Ascendiun family of companies, which also includes Blue Shield of California and its subsidiary, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan; and Altais, a clinical services firm. Blue Shield of California, which became Stellarus' first plan partner in early 2025, continues its role as an early adopter of the Stellarus platform — shaping its capabilities while utilizing the technology to better serve its 6 million members.
About Stellarus
Part of the Ascendiun family of companies, which includes Blue Shield of California, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan and Altais, Stellarus is a healthcare technology and strategic solutions company that aims to drive measurable outcomes for health plans with products and services built and delivered via its technology innovation platform. Stellarus' unique technology model is designed to enable plans to automate and improve operations, reduce administrative costs and enhance member experience. We're changing the status quo by empowering partners to create a healthcare experience worthy of their family, friends and neighbors. For more information on Stellarus, please visit www.stellarus.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
For more than 80 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has built a reputation of trust with its members and contracting providers by providing outstanding customer service while quickly and accurately processing claims; fairly administering benefit plans and contracts; offering programs, services and tools to help members improve or maintain their health; and operating under the highest ethical standards while being good stewards of premium dollars. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and is the state's largest insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. For more information, visit bcbsks.com.
About Hawaii Medical Service Association
Caring for the people of Hawaii is HMSA's promise and privilege. Working together with employers, partners, and physicians and other health care providers, we promote well-being; develop reliable, affordable health plans; and support members with clear, thoughtful guidance. Established in 1938 by social workers, HMSA is the most experienced health plan in the state. Starting in 2025, HMSA is supporting TriWest Healthcare Alliance to administer the U.S. Department of Defense's TRICARE program, providing health care for uniformed service members, their families, and survivors locally. With the addition of TRICARE, HMSA provides health care to nearly 1 million people in Hawaii. We embrace our responsibility as a recognized leader to strengthen the health and well-being of our community. Headquartered on Oahu with centers statewide to serve our members, HMSA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
SOURCE Stellarus
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