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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Celebrates 80 Years
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Celebrates 80 Years
A history of commitment to improving health in Michigan communities
In 2019, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will celebrate its 80th anniversary. That’s 80 years of increasing access to affordable health care, enhancing patient care and improving the health of Michigan’s citizens and communities. But we didn’t get here on our own. Throughout the year, we’re expressing gratitude and thankfulness for the people and places that have shaped who we are.
A message from President and CEO Daniel J. Loepp
A history of partnership
Although a lot has changed over 80 years, one constant is the valuable partnerships we’ve forged throughout that time.
Making Michigan healthier is work made lighter through the many hands undertaking on-the-ground efforts in places where people live and work. We’re grateful for the many organizations and people we partner with throughout the state that help us do that.
Here are some of their stories.
Encouraging an Active Lifestyle
Through the MI Big Green Gym partnership, we work with the MI Department of Natural Resources and mParks (Michigan Recreation & Park Association) to encourage Michiganders to get outside.
Empowering All Athletes
Special Olympics Michigan provides year-round training and athletic opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. We’ve been proud of efforts to help athletes focus on their health through the Healthy Athletes program.
Supporting Veterans' Mental Health
The Buddy-to-Buddy program pairs veterans who need help with veterans who’ve been there. Our Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation recently provided grant funding, one of many grants made over the years to University of Michigan researchers and community-based programs.
Moving Women Forward
Michigan Women Forward, formerly the Michigan Women’s Foundation, was formed to accelerate Michigan’s progress by advancing equality and opportunity for our state’s women and girls. We’ve been happy to support various events throughout the years, knowing that healthy women contribute greatly to healthier communities.
More Stories
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Covered by Blue Cross for 78 Years |
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State Games of Michigan Celebrating 10 Years |
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Special Olympics Michigan Encourages Healthy Athletes |
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Volunteer Veterans Break Through Mental Health Stigma |
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MI State Parks Celebrate 100 Years |
Additional Partners
American Cancer Society Michigan
The American Cancer Society Michigan provides programs and services to help Michigan residents facing cancer. We’ve been happy to support various events over the years across the state.
Learn moreWest Michigan Whitecaps
Partnering with the Whitecaps for annual School Days games helps us spread the #MIKidsCan message of making healthier choices. Kids and baseball are a winning combo and we’re grateful for this enduring spring tradition.
Visit the Whitecaps
Historical Timeline
1939
During the 1930s, hospitals went bankrupt and two of every three doctor bills went unpaid. The time was right for a new idea: prepaid health care. The Michigan Society for Group Hospitalization, a forerunner of Blue Cross, signs its first subscriber.
1940s
The Michigan Medical Service, a forerunner of Blue Shield, starts up with a $10,000 loan from the Michigan State Medical Society. The Michigan Society for Group Hospitalization changes its name to Michigan Hospital Service and starts using the Blue Cross symbol.
1950s
Individual health plans are marketed for the first time, while Michigan Blue Cross and Michigan Blue Shield develop and market health plans for individual senior citizens who are not eligible for group coverage.
1960s
As medical care improves and health care costs rise, many can’t afford health care. To address this problem, Medicare and Medicaid are enacted, and the government selects Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to administer the program.
1970s
In 1975, Michigan Blue Cross and Michigan Blue Shield consolidate into a single corporation, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, with customers and subscribers increasing their majority control of the new board of directors to 59 percent.
1980s
Blue Cross offers hospitals a new reimbursement contract that replaces the fixed-payment per-case system with a cost-based, global payment system. Eventually, all community hospitals in the state agree to participate.
1990s
New regional service centers open in downtown Grand Rapids, Marquette and Portage. The Bricktown Customer Service Plaza building opens in downtown Detroit adjacent to the Blues’ existing downtown 21-story office tower.
2000s
Blue Cross launches a new statewide physical activity program called WalkingWorks, led by Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell, an avid walker. Daniel J. Loepp is selected by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Board of Directors to become CEO in 2005, a role he still holds today.
2010s
The Michigan Legislature passes bills allowing the Board of Directors to transition the company to a tax-paying, nonprofit mutual insurer. Blue Cross begins operating as a nonprofit mutual insurance company and holds its first member meeting in 2014.