Blue Care Network History

In 1975, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan bought small health plans in east and mid-Michigan. These health plans grew into four independent regional health maintenance organizations. 

In 1998, these HMOs merged to form Blue Care Network of Michigan, the largest HMO in Michigan. 

2011

• Expanded our coverage to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula 
• Celebrated five years of customer success with Healthy Blue Living℠

2010

• Kevin Klobucar becomes our president and CEO
• Introduced three new products: Savings Plus Rx, Blue Essentials℠ and Healthy Blue Living Rewards℠
  

2009

• Entered the consumer-directed health care market with BCN HMO HRA℠—a product that puts employer groups in control of their health care spending
• Healthy Blue Living reached the 100,000 member milestone
• Launched MyBlueMedigap℠—a product for individual Medicare-eligible enrollees
  

2008

• Became the first health maintenance organization in Michigan to reimburse virtual office visits
• Created a radiology management program and fraud, waste and abuse software to manage rising costs
• Partnered with Renaissance Health Care, Inc. to help members with end-stage renal disease

2007

• Created Michigan HealthQuarters with University of Michigan Health System, a program to improve the quality of the state's health care system
• Introduced Wellness Works, a company-wide program that challenges employees to become healthier
• Launched BlueCaid (now known as Blue Cross Complete), a health care plan for eligible Medicaid recipients
• Medicare Advantage celebrated its 10,000th member
• M-CARE transitioned to Blue Care Network

2006

• Announced Centers of Excellence for cardiac care, low back pain treatment and bariatric surgery (now called Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care)
• Launched BCN Advantage with 2,200 primary care physicians and specialists
• Our membership passed the 480,000 mark

2005

• Launched Blue Elect℠, a flexible self-referral plan that gives members the benefits of a health maintenance organization with more options where to receive care

2004

• Established a new headquarters in Southfield, Michigan

2003

• Our first-ever television advertisement aired
• Showcased on CNN's Champions of Industry television program

2002

• Became the first commercial HMO in the nation to receive National Committee for Quality Assurance accreditation for disease management programs addressing adult diabetes, adult and child asthma and congestive heart failure