BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York is becoming Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York.
This partnership will allow us to continue to provide the strength, stability, and security our community needs for the next 85 years and beyond. We’ll maintain our local headquarters and strong community presence right here in Western New York.
Our affiliation with Highmark will not impact your health plan coverage, ID number, benefits, or your trusted BlueCross BlueShield customer service contacts.
Together, we’ll provide health insurance plans that will bring even more value and create better health solutions for our members.
Below, you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. If you are a member and have further questions, please call the number on the back of your ID card and we will be glad to help.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was announced and what does it mean?
- BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and Highmark Health announced the intention to affiliate in June 2020 to provide a sustainable health care and coverage model and improve the health of our communities. The affiliation has since been approved and is effective immediately. With this approved affiliation, we begin our path to forward to enhance member engagement, create better health outcomes, control costs and improve affordability for our members in Western New York
- We have become an affiliate of Highmark, but our location and mission as a not-for-profit health plan will not change
- It’s important for our members to know this will have no impact on their coverage through their plan year and will only enable us to offer greater value and service in the future
What does this mean for members?
- This affiliation will bring many positive opportunities to our members in the future, but will not result in any immediate changes or disruption
- We are committed to maintaining our strong local presence in our community, as a community-based, not-for-profit health plan, an employer and corporate citizen
Will my benefits change?
- No, your benefits will remain the same throughout your plan year
- Through this partnership, you will have access to greater health management tools, resources and products in the future
Will I need to change doctors?
- No, your benefits will remain the same throughout your plan year
- With both companies operating as licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, you will continue to have access to the Blue Cross Blue Shield network of doctors and hospitals in all 50 states
Can I now get care in Pennsylvania?
- You can get care in Pennsylvania or throughout the country if your plan has benefits for out of area coverage.
Will I get a new member ID Card?
- No, members will continue to use their current member ID card for the remainder of their plan year
Will the company change its name?
- In the coming months, we will change our name to Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York
- There will be a time of transition where you will still see the name BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York
Will your company be relocated?
- Highmark’s corporate headquarters building is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania but we will continue to maintain our local headquarters and strong community presence in Western New York
Who is Highmark?
- Highmark is the fourth largest Blue plan in the nation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, serving 4.5 million members in western and northeastern Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware
- Like our health plan, Highmark is a not-for-profit, mission-driven health care company with a similar culture and a strong track record of delivering exceptional coverage and service
Why are you doing this?
- We have reached a critical point in our industry, where members, employers and providers – facing an increasingly uncertain health care environment and rising costs – are looking for new and innovative approaches to managing health care
- The current time was ideal for us to expand our capabilities through Highmark’s resources, tools and advanced technologies
- This affiliation will create better health solutions that can help control costs, increase customer and clinician engagement, create better health outcomes, and improve affordability
Did the pandemic have any impact on this decision?
Will there be any job losses?
- Highmark has made a commitment to maintain a local headquarters and a strong presence in Western New York
What about your Unionized employees?
- With over 4,475 union employees across its Highmark footprint, and labor-based clients with a combined 359,000 members, Highmark recognizes the importance of honoring existing collective bargaining agreements
- We will proudly continue operating as the only Western New York-based health plan with a unionized workforce
Will this impact premiums?
What happens next?
- We expect that full integration could take some time to complete, and so there will be no immediate changes for you.
- This process is expected to take several months to complete
- We continue to stay focused on serving our members while this work is underway