Key Events In The Evolution Of Health Insurance
1917 |
The Pierce County Medical Bureau is established in Tacoma, Washington. Composed of a group of physicians who, in exchange for a monthly fee, provided medical care to the lumber and mining camp employees, this program would later become known as Blue Shield. |
1929 |
A Baylor University official develops a prepaid healthcare concept for Texas teachers that will later become known as Blue Cross. |
1934 |
Empire's earliest predecessor, Associated Hospital Service (AHS), founded |
1939 |
Chicago based American Hospital Association began using the Blue Cross symbol to signify that health plans across the country met certain standards. |
1944 |
Another of Empire's earlier predecessors, United Medical Service (UMS), founded |
1955 |
The spread of health insurance coverage – from less than 10 percent of the population in 1940 – grows to nearly 70 percent. |
1965 |
The Medicare and Medicaid programs are created. |
1974 |
Associated Hospital Service and United Hospital Service merge, forming BlueCross and BlueShield of Greater New York. |
1985 |
BCBS of Greater New York and Blue Cross of northeastern New York merge, forming Empire BlueCross BlueShield. |
1988 |
Blue plans to offer individual comprehensive major medical product on community rated, open enrollment basis. |
1993 |
Community rating mandated for small group and individual market. |
1996 |
Two for-profit subsidiaries, Empire HealthChoice and Empire HealthChoice Assurance, created. Plans are announced to restructure as a single for-profit company. |
1997 |
Health Care Reform Act (HCRA) ends hospital rate regulation and differential – leveling the playing field. |
1999 |
Empire BCBS files plan for restructuring as for-profit with NYS Dept of Insurance. |
2000 |
Laws regulating premium rates substantially the same for Article 43 not-for-profit insurers and Article 42 insurers. |
2002 |
Chapter One of the Laws of 2002 allows Empire to convert to for-profit status. WellChoice, the parent company of Empire BlueCross BlueShield, completes its initial public offering of stock. |
2005 |
WellPoint acquires WellChoice, creating the largest heath insurance provider in the U.S. with more than 35 million members across the country. |
2006 |
Mark Wagar named president and CEO of Empire BlueCross BlueShield and Senior Vice President, Northeast Market for WellPoint, Inc. |
2007 |
Empire BlueCross BlueShield introduces Empire Prism, an innovative suite of health plans designed specifically as an affordable solution for small and mid-sized businesses (two to 200 employees) who want to offer their employees a lower cost, comprehensive health plan. |
2009 |
Empire BlueCross BlueShield adds Life Insurance to its menu of offerings, making it a full-service benefits provider. |
Additional information about Empire is available at www.empireblue.com.
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