New England's Blue Cross Blue Shield shake-out: a case study in consumer activism.
For two generations, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) insurance plans could be counted on to play a key role in the financing of every community's health care system.  "The Blues" dominated the health insurance market, yet they were also a reliable "insurer of last resort."  In recent years, BCBS plans have begun to re-structure to stay competitive.  Four of New England's BCBS plans have proposed or completed mergers with Anthem Insurance, a mutual insurance company based in Indiana.  This issue of States of Health looks at how advocates in New England are working together to protect health care consumers amid this transformation.
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D054598:Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Plans / Q000266:history; D003254:Consumer Advocacy; D006273:Health Facility Merger; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009511:New England; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D009936:Organizational Innovation