Facts at a Glance

About BCBST

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is a not-for-profit organization. The company:

  • Is the state’s leader in health care financing.
  • Was founded in 1945 and now serves nearly 3 million members in all 95 counties in the state.
  • Including Medicare operations, provides services to more than 5 million people nationwide.
  • Paid more than 65 million claims and more than $17 billion in health care benefits in 2006.
  • Has more than 4,700 employees.
  • Is headquartered in Chattanooga with regional offices in Jackson, Johnson City, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville.
  • Provides benefits to over 17,000 companies.
  • Collects 49% of all premiums received from government-related business (local, state, federal).
  • Contributes more than $3 million annually to Tennessee charities through our community outreach efforts.
  • Supports major statewide sponsorships including the TSSAA state football championship (BlueCross Bowl) promoting healthy competition and Tennessee Senior Olympics promoting fitness.
  • Is the largest TennCare provider (MCO) in the state with approximately 301,000 members.
  • Has a flagship network of providers, called Blue Network P, that includes more than:
    • 150 hospitals
    • 17,500 physicians
    • 2,000 pharmacies

National and State Health Care Facts

  • Americans spend more than $6,280 per person on health care services annually.
  • Spending on health care in the U.S. accounts for 16.0% of gross domestic product.
  • Tennessee health care costs 9% more on the average than U.S. health care.
  • Tennesseans buy 16.9 prescriptions per year, compared to about 11.8 nationally
  • Tennesseans spend $1,272.94 per person on prescription drugs, compared to $948.72 nationally.
  • Despite paying more for health care, Tennesseans:
    • Have one of the highest rates of obesity nationally (28.7%).
    • Have a life expectancy of 74.3 years compared to a national average 77.9.
    • Rank eighth among states for mortality due to heart disease.
    • Rank third in death rate due to cancer.
    • Rank third in death rate due to stroke.
  • 20% of Tennesseans Participate in TennCare.
  • Nearly 15% of Tennesseans are uninsured.

Online Resources Offer More InfoFor more information on BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, visit the company’s Web site at www.bcbst.com.

For information on health care in Tennessee, visit www.tennesseehealth.com

 

Media Contact

Mary Thompson, APR

(423) 535-7694 (office)
(423) 802-8322 (mobile)

Scott Wilson
(423) 535-7409 (office)
(423) 316-1937 (mobile)

Page Modified:March 31, 2008