Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans Capture Top 10 Slots In Consumer Reports' National PPO Rankings (8/10/2005)

Source: BCBSHealthissues.com

CHICAGO – The top 10 PPOs in the United States are Blue Cross Blue Shield health plans according to a new survey published by Consumer Reports. The national survey of 35,000 consumers measured satisfaction in five key areas: access to doctors and care, choice of doctor, customer support, billing, care from doctors, and primary care doctors. Blue Cross Plans occupied  31 of the top 35 spots in this Consumer reports study

"The results of this survey demonstrate why consumers continue to choose Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies over other nationally recognized brands," said Scott P. Serota, President and CEO of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. "Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies offer the widest networks with the greatest number of quality physicians and hospitals in the country. And the Blues back up their commitment to consumers by continually stressing operational excellence for our own companies and by reducing administrative burdens for our physician and hospital partners."

In 2004, the Blues' collectively provided healthcare benefits for more than 92 million – or one-in-three – Americans, representing a 40 percent growth in enrollment driven largely by growth in PPO products. PPO enrollment among Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies tripled between 1995 and 2004, from about 18.9 million members, or 28.9 percent of total enrollment in 1995, to 57.5 million PPO members in 2004, representing 62.3 percent of total Blue enrollment nationwide.