Premera Blue Cross
Encyclopedia
Premera Blue Cross is a nonprofit Blue Cross Blue Shield
licensed health insurance
company based in Mountlake Terrace, Washington
. It sells health insurance plans under the Blue Cross license in Washington state except Clark County
and under both the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licenses in Alaska
. It also has affiliate health insurance operations in Washington and Oregon
under the Lifewise brand.
In 1994, Blue Cross of Washington and Alaska affiliated with Spokane
's Medical Service Corporation, which had been founded in November 1933. In June 1998, the two organizations merged under the name Premera Blue Cross.
In 2002, Premera's executives first informed Washington commissioner
Mike Kreidler
of their intent to convert from a non-profit to a for-profit joint-stock company. After five years, the request was officially ended on March 5, 2007.
In October 2009, Premera waived deductible
or co-pay for 2009-H1N1 vaccine
fees for its fully insured members.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a federation of 39 separate health insurance organizations and companies in the United States. Combined, they directly or indirectly provide health insurance to over 100 million Americans. The history of Blue Cross dates back to 1929, while the history of...
licensed health insurance
Health insurance
Health insurance is insurance against the risk of incurring medical expenses among individuals. By estimating the overall risk of health care expenses among a targeted group, an insurer can develop a routine finance structure, such as a monthly premium or payroll tax, to ensure that money is...
company based in Mountlake Terrace, Washington
Mountlake Terrace, Washington
Mountlake Terrace is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. It lies east of Edmonds, Washington, south of Lynnwood, Washington, and west of Brier, Washington. Its southern boundary runs along the King County line. Interstate 5 runs north-south through the city, and services the city...
. It sells health insurance plans under the Blue Cross license in Washington state except Clark County
Clark County, Washington
Clark County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Washington, across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon.Clark County was the first county of Washington, named after William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition...
and under both the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licenses in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. It also has affiliate health insurance operations in Washington and Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
under the Lifewise brand.
Mission statement
Premera's mission is to provide peace of mind to its members about their healthcare coverage. The company provides health insurance and related services to approximately 1.6 million people. Premera Blue Cross has operated in Washington since 1933, and Alaska since 1957. Premera Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
History
Premera was founded as Washington Hospital Service on May 5, 1945, and began operating in Alaska in 1957. On March 14, 1969, the company's name was changed to Blue Cross of Washington and Alaska.In 1994, Blue Cross of Washington and Alaska affiliated with Spokane
Spokane
Spokane is a city in the U.S. state of Washington.Spokane may also refer to:*Spokane *Spokane River*Spokane, Missouri*Spokane Valley, Washington*Spokane County, Washington*Spokane-Coeur d'Alene-Paloos War*Spokane * USS Spokane...
's Medical Service Corporation, which had been founded in November 1933. In June 1998, the two organizations merged under the name Premera Blue Cross.
In 2002, Premera's executives first informed Washington commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner is in principle the title given to a member of a commission or to an individual who has been given a commission ....
Mike Kreidler
Mike Kreidler
Myron Bradford "Mike" Kreidler is an American politician who currently serves as the Washington Insurance Commissioner. He is a Democrat....
of their intent to convert from a non-profit to a for-profit joint-stock company. After five years, the request was officially ended on March 5, 2007.
In October 2009, Premera waived deductible
Deductible
In an insurance policy, the deductible is the amount of expenses that must be paid out of pocket before an insurer will pay any expenses. It is normally quoted as a fixed quantity and is a part of most policies covering losses to the policy holder. The deductible must be paid by the insured,...
or co-pay for 2009-H1N1 vaccine
Vaccine
A vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease. A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism, and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the microbe or its toxins...
fees for its fully insured members.