Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

“Various association board members (directors) also sit on the board of blue cross blue shield association affiliates.”

“Bcbsa has thirty-six (36) independent health care plan licensees operating in specified domestic service areas. All heath care plan licensees are association members.”

“Each primary licensee member plan, by the authority of their individual governing documents, select the ceo of their respective companies to serve as a member of the association's board.”

“Certain governing decisions, such as by-law amendments, require action by both the association's board and its member plans.”

“In general, form 990 content and sources of information are reviewed by subject matter experts including, but not limited to, internal and external tax (pwc) and accounting professionals and internal legal personnel. Finalizing the return draft consists of discussions between finance officers and finance managers regarding the numeric results and written responses to select return questions. Upon internal agreement as to the form and content, an electronic draft 990 is sent to the associations board prior to filing.”

“Bcbsa maintains a comprehensive code of conduct and compliance program applicable to all employees and officers. In addition, all employees, officers, and board members are required to complete an annual conflict of interest form. The bcbsa chief auditor and compliance officer is charged with investigating any allegations of non-compliance with the code of conduct, including any complaints reported through the anonymous hotline maintained through an independent organization. The results of the compliance programs effectiveness are reported to the financial and audit committee of the board of directors on an annual basis. Failure to adhere to the code of conduct may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.”

“The compensation of the ceo and the continued retention of his services are approved each year by a committee of the associations board comprised of independent plan executives. That committee acts after deliberations based upon advice from a qualified independent compensation consulting firm. The consultant's advice and those deliberations include a review of the results of the independent consultant's research regarding compensation paid by other organizations for officers serving in capacities comparable to that of the association's ceo. Each year this committees decisions are reported to the full board during a regularly scheduled meeting. The board deliberates on both matters. Extension of the period of the ceos service requires action by the full board. The compensation determinations of the committee stand approved unless the board exercises its inherent prerogative to modify the committees compensation decisions. The same committee of independent plan executives annually receives the ceos recommendations regarding the compensation to be paid to the officers. As with the ceos compensation, the deliberations of this committee and its decisions to approve or modify the ceos recommendation are based upon the results of an independent consultants market research regarding comparable officer pay and the independent consultants advice.”

“The association complies with all applicable public disclosure requirements. Thus, for example, members of the public may request an opportunity to review the associations form 990 or to make a copy by sending a written request or appearing in person at its principal office or any of its other locations. The associations favorable determination letter regarding its tax exempt status and materials comprising its exemption application are also available in this manner. If the associations governing documents (articles of incorporation and bylaws) and conflict of interest policy are subject to applicable federal or state public disclosure requirements, those documents will be made publicly available as applicable law may require. For example, form 990 filings may include bylaw amendments and those amendments will be made available as noted above. Otherwise, the governing documents and conflict of interest policy will be provided to the public at the discretion of the associations management.”

“The organization's tax exempt purpose is promoting through independent blue cross and blue shield member plans, the common good and general welfare of the community by fostering broad-based health insurance coverage. Form 990, part iii, line 1 the association serves its membership consisting of independent blue cross and blue shield member plans that operate within specific geographic service areas. The assocation provides a variety of services to member plans and coordinates government services, such as the contract under the federal employee health benefit program (fep), which is the core of the organization's exempt purpose of promoting the common good and general welfare of the community by fostering broad-based health insurance coverage. Form 990, part iii, line 4a the blue cross and blue shield association's federal employee program (fep) administers the blue cross and blue shield service benefit plan. Approximately 64 percent of all federal employees and retirees who received their health care benefits through the government's federal employees health benefits program (fehbp) are members of the service benefit plan receiving health coverage through member plans. Service benefit plan has been part of the fehbp since its inception in 1960 and is the largest plan in the program. Accomplishments in 2018 included the introduction of a new health insurance product called fep blue focus. Also in 2018, a continued modernization of fep's conteral claims system, further enhancements to member health tools and member's digital experience, as well as the continued development of integrated care management programs across the entire spectrum to serve members and improve member's experience. Retention rate was 99.1%. Form 990, part iii, line 4b the bluecard program enables blue plan members to receive the benefits of their insurance contracts while traveling or living in another member plan's geographic service area. Through bluecard, blue plan members are given seamless national access to physicians and hospitals that participate in blue networks. Additionally, the program links participating healthcare providers with the independent blue cross and blue shield plans through a single electronic network for claims processing and reimbursement. Form 990, part iii, line 4c as the umbrella organization for the member plans, the association coordinates advertising and communication programs, providing policy and representation of member interests, monitors and fosters the financial stability of all the plans and supports the ability of the plans to operate efficiently by providing conferences, consulting and miscellaneous services to the plans. Form 990, part iii, line 4d other program service accomplishments the association provides optional consulting services and other miscellaneous projects; operation of the national employee benefits administration program that provides a comprehensive group package of employee benefits programs to the plans; a closed private, wide area network that links teh compouter and infromation resources of the plans expense: 76,079,829 grants: none nonerevenue: 94,262,437”

“Other changes in net assets: other comprehensive income-asc 715 606,780 loss on settlement of retirement obligation (968,993) additional k-1 revenue (594,152) --------------- total (956,365) total (956,365)”

“In furtherance of its tax exempt purpose to promote the common good and general welfare of the community and to improve the nation's health, and the accessibility and affordability of healthcare for all americans, bcbsa incurred expenses to organizations that support and advocate bcbsa's views on issues facing the health insurance industry. Incurred expenses include building of coalitions, grassroots outreach and education, bcbsa did not control or direct these activities. Bcbsa has disclosed these expenses on part ix, line 24b, contributions - general.”

“Description:various consulting fees total fees:xxx-xx-xxxx”

“Description:temporary help total fees:6078498”

“Description:printing & graphics total fees:3154795”

“Description:recruiting total fees:456434”