Blue Care Network History

In 1975, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan bought small health plans in east and mid-Michigan. These health plans grew into four independent regional health maintenance organizations. 

In 1998, these HMOs merged to form Blue Care Network of Michigan, the largest HMO in Michigan. 

2020

• In partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan provided support in response to COVID-19, including premium relief to our group customers and members, waiving COVID-19 cost sharing, financial support to providers, and community grants to support mobile testing and food banks.
• Continued to support community-based events virtually in various regions of the state.
• Achieved 43% of Michigan’s HMO market. 

2019

• Blue Care Network NCQA Rating (Commercial) Commendable status and rating of 4.5, the highest ranking among all Michigan Commercial plans and an increase from 2018.
• BCN QRS 4.0 Star rating for Commercial Individual products.
• BCN Medicare Advantage received a 4.0 Star Rating from CMS.
• Kathryn Levine became our President and CEO.

2018

• Celebrated 20 years as a Michigan HMO.
• Surpassed the 900,000 member mark.

2017

• Achieved more best-in-class commercial Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set ratings than any other HMO in the state.
• U.S. News and World Report rated BCN Advantage the best HMO-POS plan in Michigan for 2017.

2016

• Tiffany Albert becomes our president and CEO.

2015

• BCN achieved great strides with its localized products, over 73% of commercial Individual members were enrolled in local network products.
• BCN was approved to expand its BCN Commercial service area by 10 counties and the BCN Advantage Individual service area by 3 counties.

2014

• Due to new individual membership, BCN membership increased by almost 18% to 810,000 members. 

2013

• Grew our market share to 39.3 percent
• Blue Cross Complete, our Medicaid plan, launched a new operating model with AmeriHealth^® Caritas 

2012

• Blue Cross Complete ranked top among Medicaid plans in Michigan and No. 4 among 115 across the nation 
• BCN Advantage^SM, our Medicare plan, expanded from 48 to 59 counties

2011

• Expanded our coverage to Michigan's Upper Peninsula 
• Celebrated five years of customer success with Healthy Blue Living^SM

2010

• Kevin Klobucar becomes our president and CEO
• Introduced three new products: Savings Plus Rx, Blue Essentials^SM and Healthy Blue Living Rewards^SM
  

2009

• Entered the consumer-directed health care market with BCN HMO HRA^SM a product that puts employer groups in control of their health care spending
• Healthy Blue Living reached the 100,000 member milestone
• Launched MyBlue Medigap^SM, a product for individual Medicare-eligible enrollees
  

2008

• Became the first health maintenance organization in Michigan to reimburse virtual office visits
• Created a radiology management program and fraud, waste and abuse software to manage rising costs
• Partnered with Renaissance Health Care, Inc. to help members with end-stage renal disease

2007

• Created Michigan HealthQuarters with University of Michigan Health System, a program to improve the quality of the state's health care system
• Introduced Wellness Works, a company-wide program that challenges employees to become healthier
• Launched a Medicaid plan, now known as Blue Cross Complete
• Medicare Advantage celebrated its 10,000th member
• M-CARE transitioned to Blue Care Network

2006

• Announced Centers of Excellence for cardiac care, low back pain treatment and bariatric surgery (now called Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care)
• Launched BCN Advantage with 2,200 primary care physicians and specialists
• Our membership passed the 480,000 mark

2005

• Launched Blue Elect^SM , a flexible self-referral plan that gives members the benefits of a health maintenance organization with more options where to receive care

2004

• Established a new headquarters in Southfield, Michigan

2003

• Our first-ever television advertisement aired
• Showcased on CNN's Champions of Industry television program

2002

• Became the first commercial HMO in the nation to receive National Committee for Quality Assurance accreditation for disease management programs addressing adult diabetes, adult and child asthma and congestive heart failure