Why Blue Cross Blue Shield is Always Rated as One of the Best Health Insurance Company?

Health insurance coverage is an important issue for everyone in America.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association President and CEO, Scott P. Serota, stated in Washington on January 23, 2008 that:
"The Blue Cross and Blue Shield strongly believes that everyone in America should have health insurance. "After deliberative and thoughtful discussions, the nation's 39 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans have crafted a comprehensive proposal based on our 75 years of experience as leaders in the health care community. We look forward to working with other stake holders to enact comprehensive health care reform."

This is a bold, powerful, proactive proposal that surely puts Blue Cross Blue Shield at the top of the list of best rated insurance companies.
But, what makes an health insurance company get on the best rated list or on the top ten list? The best health insurance companies are rated and accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. (NCQA) This is a non-profit organization with the mission of improving the quality of health care. The organization measures and reports on the various aspects of performance of different entities and individual physicians. They also offer accreditation and certification programs.

So, what makes Blue Cross Blue Shield rate as one of the best insurance companies?
In the July 2007, NCQA report, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts HMO/POS ranked #4 in the nation with a score of 89.0. It rated 5 stars for customer assessments, prevention and
treatments. Two other Blue Cross Blue Shield plans made the top ten list at #7 and #9 in New York and Connecticut respectively.

The reports were based on consumers assessments to:
Getting care needed.
Getting care needed quickly.
How well the doctors communicate?
High rating of personal doctor.
High rating of specialist.
High rating of care received.
Satisfaction with claims processing.
High rating of plans services.
Prevention and treatment of specific diseases.

Any insurance plan that is on the NCQA rating list is a good sign that they are committed to
quality patient care, so, for Blue Cross Blue Shield to be on the top ten list rates them as one of the best health insurance companies.

Blue Cross Blue Shield five-point plan for comprehensive reform includes the following:
Encourage research on what works.
Change incentives to promote better care.
Empower consumers and providers.
Promote health and wellness.
Foster public-private coverage solutions.
The plan is called- "The Pathway to Covering America"

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