About Us

Health Coverage Insurance Services, Inc (BlueInsuranceShield.com) is the leading independent California insurance agency. Health Coverage Insurance Services, Inc has been providing California residents with health insurance solutions since 1997.

Health Coverage Insurance Services, Inc (BlueInsuranceShield.com) is a full-service agency representing all the major health insurance carriers in California. As a Blue Shield of California Premier Agency, we’re in a unique position to give you superior service. With our extensive background in the underwriting process and our key contacts at Blue Shield of California, we can solve problems that may arise during your application process.

We're routinely able to get our clients lower premiums, and we're always here to help you get claims paid. Regardless of which carrier you choose, we want you to get the most out of your health plan. And we want to keep providing you with excellent service after you've enrolled in a plan. Because your health is too important to trust to a non-professional, all Health Coverage Insurance Services, Inc (BlueInsuranceShield.com) representatives are licensed insurance agents. Health Coverage Insurance Services, Inc (BlueInsuranceShield.com) welcomes clients from all walks of life. We've helped countless individuals get their own health insurance plans, and we've managed multi-million dollar portfolios. Health Coverage Insurance Services, Inc (BlueInsuranceShield.com) has also set up benefits programs for large corporations and non-profit organizations. Our goal is to give you excellent service to help you meet your health insurance needs — whether we meet face-to-face, over the phone, or online.

Why apply for Blue Shield of California through Us? Health insurance premiums are filed with and regulated by your state's Department of Insurance. Whether you buy from Health Coverage Insurance Services, Inc (BlueInsuranceShield.com), your local agent, or directly from the health insurance company, you'll pay the same monthly premium for the same plan. This means that you can enjoy the advantages and convenience of shopping and purchasing your health insurance plan through Health Coverage Insurance Services, Inc (BlueInsuranceShield.com) and rest assured that you're getting the best available price. We are going to there for you even after you get approved for health insurance. After you get your coverage if you have any questions regarding claims, prescriptions drugs, finding a provider or anything else that might come up.

Health Coverage Insurance Services, Inc

BlueInsuranceShield.com

Po Box 9417

Santa Rosa, CA 95405-9417

Phone: 800-569-1156

Fax: 800-569-1156

 

 

About Blue Shield of California

 
As a not-for-profit health plan, Blue Shield is guided by our mission and values, which encourage innovation and enable us to be a catalyst for constructive change.

Our mission and values are embodied in our proposal to guarantee health coverage for all Californians, the first time a major health plan has called for universal coverage.

 

Our Mission

To ensure all Californians have access to high-quality health care at a reasonable price.

 

Our Values

  • We do the right thing.
  • We place the customers at the center of what we do.
  • We keep promises.
  • We are creative and take risks.
  • We create an environment that promotes personal, professional and team fulfillment.
  • We are responsible for maintaining Blue Shield's heritage.

 

Fast Facts

 
  • Year founded: 1939
  • Service area: California
  • Annual revenue: $8.9 billion
  • Total employees: 4,800
  • Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer: Bruce G. Bodaken
  • Blue Shield is a California not-for-profit mutual benefit corporation.
  • National affiliation: Independent Member of the BlueCross BlueShield Association
  • Parent company: California Physicians' Service, Inc.
  • Blue Shield of California Foundation: Blue Shield donated $100 million over the last three years to the Blue Shield of California Foundation to fund nonprofit organizations that improve access to quality health care in California.

 

Accreditation

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recently awarded Blue Shield an "Excellent" rating for service and clinical quality for its HMO and Point of Service (POS) lines of business.

"Excellent" accreditation status is reserved for the best health plans in the nation and is only awarded to those plans that meet or exceed NCQA's rigorous requirements for consumer protection and quality improvement and deliver excellent clinical care. Review Blue Shield's NCQA Health Plan Report Card at www.ncqa.org.

 

Financial Strength Ratings (as of July 2008)

  • A rating from Standard and Poor's for Blue Shield of California
  • A (excellent) rating from AM Best for California Physicians' Service
  • A (excellent) rating by TheStreet.com Ratings for California Physicians' Service

 

Membership (as of Feb 2009)

HMO: 1,200,000
PPO: 1,560,000
TRICARE: 460,000
Other: 160,0001
Total: 3,400,000 
 

Provider Network (as of July 2008)

Type of Provider HMO PPO
Primary Care Physicians 11,449 22,445
Specialists 21,664 34,450
Total 33,113 58,895

Hospital Network (as of July 2008)

HMO: 314
PPO: 359
 

History

 
Blue Shield of California's 60+-year history is distinguished by innovations that have changed the face of health care and made us a prominent force in the California healthcare market.
 

1938

California Medical Association House of Delegates creates California Physicians' Service (CPS) on Dec. 18 by a vote of 114 to 12.
 

1939

Articles of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State on Feb. 2; CPS begins marketing service to the public on March 6. Coverage for first group commences two months later.
 

1940

In first year of operation, 20,000 Californians subscribe and 5,000 physicians join the pioneer prepaid healthcare service plan.
 

1943

CPS offers first health plan in the nation with coverage for pre-existing conditions under group programs.
 

1946

CPS is a founder of the National Association of Blue Shield Plans (later renamed the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association).
 

1949

Individual and family health plan membership offered through non-group programs.
 

1950

Company introduces first catastrophic coverage in the nation.
 

1959

California Physicians' Insurance Corporation Life (since renamed Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Company), a Blue Shield wholly owned life and disability insurance subsidiary, is formed.
 

1963

Blue Shield launches experimental programs to provide post-hospitalization nursing home care.
 

1967

Medicare supplement and small group programs introduced.
 

1968

Eye care benefits covering exams, frames and lenses are introduced.
 

1984

Blue Shield becomes the first health plan to cover a heart transplant (Stanford University, May 16, 1984).
 

1986

Blue Shield initiates case management to help subscribers receive optional types of care for long-term illness.
 

1988

Blue Shield establishes a health maintenance organization (HMO).
 

1996

Blue Shield becomes the first health plan in California to offer online benefits and enrollment information.
With Access+ HMOSM, Blue Shield becomes the first health plan in California to offer members direct access to specialists in their physician's medical group.
 

1997

Blue Shield acquires CareAmerica, becoming the first to convert a for-profit HMO into a not-for-profit HMO.
 

1998

Blue Shield offers IFP OnlineSM, the first online enrollment system for agents.
Blue Shield launches mylifepath.comSM, an online health management tool.
 

2000

Blue Shield offers a guided imagery program to pre-surgical patients, and becomes the first health plan to connect doctors and members online.
California's first cross border HMO, Access Baja, is introduced.
 

2002

Blue Shield becomes the first health plan to propose statewide universal coverage.
 

2003

CPIC Life is re-named Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Company (Blue Shield Life).
Active Choice is introduced, the first comprehensive Blue Shield healthcare product licensed by the California Department of Insurance.
 

2004

Blue Shield celebrates its 60th anniversary and now serves 3.3 million Californians.
In an effort to address rising hospital costs, a smaller network is created for CalPERS members that will save $30 million in hospital costs in 2005.
A comprehensive provider network was established for TriWest to care for military personnel, their families and surviving dependents.
 

2005

Blue Shield becomes new HMO carrier for the California Correctional Peace Officers' Association (CCPOA) Medical Plan.
Blue Shield awarded San Francisco Chamber of Commerce's Excellence in Business Award (EBBIE) for its strong growth, string of excellent ratings, innovative products, policy leadership and investments in people and communities.
 

2006

Blue Shield launches new "We (Shield) You" brand campaign, highlighting problems in healthcare and insurance, and Blue Shield's methods to address them. The campaign included television, billboard and online advertising, and video "Chat Box" events.
The Motion Picture Industry Health Plan (MPIHP) selected Blue Shield of California to serve its more than 95,000 indemnity plan participants.
 

2007

Blue Shield supports Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's health reform proposal.
California Health Care Coalition selects Blue Shield of California as exclusive health plan partner to improve the quality and cost of health care for its members.
 

2008

Blue Shield opens new 20-acre, environmentally friendly facility in Lodi, Calif. making Blue Shield Lodi's largest private employer.
Blue Shield launches online provider quality and satisfaction tool to make hospital and HMO medical group selection easier for members.