BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
| Company type | Autonomous licensee |
|---|---|
| Industry | Health insurance |
| Predecessor | South Carolina Hospital Service Plan, Hospital Benefit Association of Greenville, BlueShield of South Carolina |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Headquarters | South Carolina , United States |
Area served | South Carolina, United States |
| Products | Health insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, dental insurance, Medicare and Medicaid services |
| Parent | Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association |
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina (BlueCross) functions as an autonomous licensee affiliated with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. It provides coverage to 21.5 million individuals through a combination of private sector and governmental agreements.
The organization manages multiple subsidiaries, including licensed partners such as the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation and BlueChoice HealthPlan. Additionally, it oversees non-licensed affiliates like Companion Life, Companion Captive Insurance Company, PGBA, LLC, Planned Administrators, Inc. (PAI), and TCC of South Carolina.
History
Established initially as the South Carolina Hospital Service Plan in 1946 and formally incorporated in 1950, BlueCross strengthened its financial position by merging in 1947 with the Hospital Benefit Association of Greenville. The current organization was formed in 1971 following a merger with BlueShield of South Carolina.
In July 2020, BlueCross together with its Foundation initiated Diabetes Free SC, a significant statewide program funded with millions to tackle disparities in diabetes care. Over a period of three to five years, the Foundation distributed $11.6 million in grants to entities such as Prisma Health, the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, and FoodShareSC. The goal was to enhance pregnancy health outcomes, lower diabetes risk among children, and prevent complications in adults.
BlueChoice HealthPlan
BlueChoice HealthPlan began operations in 1984 under the name Companion HealthCare and was the inaugural HMO provided by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. Presently, it serves close to 200,000 members. In 2008, the plan broadened its services by introducing BlueChoice HealthPlan Medicaid aimed at qualifying residents of South Carolina. The financial strength rating for BlueChoice was reaffirmed as A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best in 2013 within the BCBSSC group rating.
Other companies
The subsidiaries under BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina include:
- Companion Benefit Alternatives – administrator of behavioral health benefits since 1984
- Companion Life – provider of life, disability, and dental insurance acquired in 1970
- Celerian Group – government program services provider established in 2011
- CGS (formerly Cigna Government Services) – Medicare contract management acquired in 2011
- Companion Data Services (CDS) – founded in 2000
- JBS International – consulting firm acquired in 2017
- Karna – consulting services acquired in 2018
- Palmetto GBA – Medicare contracting entity founded in 1992
- PGBA, LLC – TRICARE contracting founded in 1996
- Planned Administrators, Inc. (PAI) – third-party administrator acquired in 1973
- TCC of South Carolina – third-party administrator formerly known as Thomas H. Cooper and Company
These affiliated companies contribute to expanding BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina’s footprint and diversify its offerings within healthcare management and government contracting arenas.
During the COVID-19 crisis, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina eliminated all member out-of-pocket expenses related to treatment for the virus, facilitating improved access to medical care throughout the pandemic.