Historical and other highlights
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan entered the health maintenance organization industry in 1975 with the purchase of small health plans in east and mid-Michigan. By 1998 BCBSM owned four independent regional HMOs that were merged into Blue Care Network of Michigan — an HMO that covers most of the state and serves more than 600,000 members.
2010
- BCN received excellent accreditation from NCQA – for the 11th year in a row.
- BCN introduced three new products: Savings Plus Rx, Healthy Blue Living RewardsSM and Blue EssentialsSM.
- BCN named by the Michigan Business and Professionals Association as one of West Michigan's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For – for the third year in a row. Also named as one of Metropolitan Detroit's Best and Brightest Companies to Work For.
- Kevin Klobucar becomes Blue Care Network's president and CEO.
2009
- BCN enters the consumer-directed health plan market with BCN HMO HRASM– a product that will help employer groups control their healthcare spending dollars.
- BCN launched MyBlue MedigapSM, a product for individual Medicare eligible enrollees.
- BlueCaid® received a 15th place ranking in the nation (out of 82 health plans) and third place ranking in Michigan (out of 14 health plans) in a ranking of the best health plans by U.S. News and World Report.
- BCN was named one of the Best and Brightest companies to work for in Southeast Michigan for the third year in a row and in West Michigan for the second consecutive year.
- Healthy Blue LivingSM, BCN’s innovative product that rewards members for living a healthy lifestyle, reached the 100,000 member milestone.
2008
- Henry Ford Medical Group primary care physicians added to provider network.
- BCN receives Excellent Accreditation from NCQA for ninth consecutive year.
- Radiology management program and fraud, waste and abuse software implemented in an effort to manage escalating costs.
- BCN receives the Crystal Rose Award for Outstanding Community Partner by Hospice of Michigan. The award is given annually to companies that exemplify a strong dedication to Hospice of Michigan.
- Renaissance Health Care, Inc. was retained by BCN to help members with end-stage renal disease.
- In a pilot program, BCN is the first HMO in Michigan to reimburse virtual office visits.
- Received the Gallup® Great Work Place Award for 2008 and was named one of West Michigan’s and Southeast Michigan's Best and Brightest companies to work for.
- BCN’s Jeanne Carlson, president and chief executive officer, and Sue Kluge, senior vice president and chief financial officer, were recognized on by Inforum Inner CircleTM as being two of the most influential women in Southeastern Michigan.
2007
- BCN launches BlueCaid® which provides medical services to eligible Medicaid recipients. BlueCaid was acquired as M-CAID when it purchased M-CARE.
- BCN was named by the Michigan Business & Professionals Association as one of Metro Detroit’s 101 Best and Brightest companies to work for.
- Healthy Blue LivingSM was awarded the 2007 Disease Management Leadership Award for Outstanding Health Plan by the Disease Management Association of America.
- Medicare Advantage celebrates its 10,000th member.
- Blue Care Network was presented with the “Gallup Great Workplace Award,” recognizing BCN as having one of the world’s “most engaged work forces.”
- The Blues and U-M Health System launched Michigan HealthQuarters, a new joint venture for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the University of Michigan Health System, dedicated to improving the quality of the state’s health care system.
- M-CARE transitions to BCN.
- BCN introduces Wellness Works for its employees, a company wide program that challenges employees to become healthier.
2006
- BCN rated Excellent by NCQA, a designation held since 2000. Physician recognition program and physician performance measurement and improvement processes contribute to high rating.
- BCN's Web site awarded Health Web Site Accreditation by URAC, the Utilization Review Accreditation Committee, a leader in promoting health care quality.
- BCN Advantage becomes effective Jan. 1, with 2,200 PCPs and specialists.
- BCN announces Centers of Excellence for cardiac care, low back pain treatment and bariatric surgery.
- BCN provider and member communications win these Renaissance Awards:
- The Professional Services Manual receives IABC's "Best of Show" in the Writing category in addition to an Award of Excellence in technical writing.
- Quit the Nic postcard receives an Award of Honor.
- The Professional Services Manual receives IABC's "Best of Show" in the Writing category in addition to an Award of Excellence in technical writing.
- Blue Care Network grows business with Healthy Blue Living℠ — an innovative health plan that rewards members for pursuing their health goals — and Macomb Blue — that offers low-cost health care for Macomb County businesses.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder added to disease management offerings, bringing to nine the total number of programs offered.
- BCN membership passes 480,000 mark.
- Jeanne Carlson becomes Blue Care Network's new president and CEO.
2005
- BCN launches redesigned Web site for members at MiBCN.com.
- BCN offers Blue Elect, a flexible self-referral plan that gives members the preventive and health management benefits of a health maintenance organization with options where to receive care.
- Customers FIRST, a multifaceted plan that encompasses tactical and strategic components, is introduced to employees to improve BCN's service to customers.
- NCQA gives four of BCN's disease management programs Excellent accreditation.
2004
- BCN establishes new headquarters in Southfield, Michigan.
- Weigh to Go™, a program that offers a comprehensive approach to weight control, launches.
- Renal management is added to chronic care management.
- BCN adds deductible product that allows groups to offer BCN benefits, value-added programs and comprehensive network of providers and hospitals at a lower cost.
- BCN receives awards for quality management and disease management programs that educate members about disease prevention and self-management and remind them about needed services:
- Asthma Management program — Recognizing Excellence — Best Disease Management Program Award from the Disease Management Association of America
- Diabetes management program — National Exemplary Practice Honorable Mention from America’s Health Insurance Plans
- Excellence in Immunization Award from the National Partnership for Immunization
- Spirit of Collaboration Award from the Michigan Cancer Consortium for participating in a statewide colorectal cancer project
- Best of Blues — Communication Award for Domestic Violence health education program
- Asthma Management program — Recognizing Excellence — Best Disease Management Program Award from the Disease Management Association of America
- BCN receives Renaissance Awards from the International Association of Business Communicators for:
- Excellence in overall corporate communications strategy for Facets provider communications
- Merit in special print communication (1-3 color) for the Special Facets Edition Network News
- Merit in employee/member communications for the booklet entitled Climbing to the Top BCN Best Practices & Soaring Higher
- Honors in annual reports (1-3 color) for the BCN University 2002 Yearbook
- Honors in intranets/employee portals for the Provider Affairs intranet site
- Excellence in overall corporate communications strategy for Facets provider communications
2003
- The company upgrades to Facets, a Windows-based operating system that connects claims processing, provider and member payments, billing and member enrollment in one central data bank.
- BCN adds cardiovascular program to disease management lineup.
- AccordantCare partner provides case management program for rare, complex, chronic diseases to BCN members.
- BCN is showcased as an exemplary health maintenance organization on CNN's Champions of Industry television program.
- BCN receives the Renaissance Award from the International Association of Business Communicators for excellence in a marketing plan.
- Blue Care Network receives the Silver Quill Award from the Great Lakes district of the International Association of Business Communicators for excellence in a marketing plan.
- BCN launches advertising campaign with first-ever BCN television advertisement.
2002
- BCN is the first commercial HMO in Michigan and the nation to receive NCQA accreditation for disease management programs addressing adult diabetes, adult and child asthma and congestive heart failure.
- BCN meets financial goals, showing positive contributions to reserves.
- Migraine management and low back pain added to disease management programs.
- BCN CEO, Kevin Seitz, is presented with the National Management Association’s highest honor — The Silver Knight Award.
- BCN receives the following Michigan Association of Health Plan Pinnacle Awards:
- Health Care Program Award for its Quit the Nic! smoking cessation program
- Community Partnership/Outreach Award for collaborative efforts with other health plans for the Southeast Michigan Diabetes Health Fair
- An Exemplary Award for its Health Risk Appraisal Program
- Health Care Program Award for its Quit the Nic! smoking cessation program
2001
- BCN holds 12 employee workshops in June and July and sets fresh vision, mission and values for the future
- BCN’s company-owned health centers in east and mid-Michigan unveil a new name — Family Health Centers of Blue Care Network. The centers provide medical care with physicians and staff specializing in family practice, internal medicine and pediatrics.
- BCN receives the following Pinnacle Awards from the Michigan Association of Health Plans:
- Third Place in the category of Business/Operational Performance for the "Satisfaction Pays" Program
- Third Place in the category of Community Outreach/Partnership for its Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign
- A Meritorious Program Status in the category of Health Care Programs for its Asthma Management Program, Health Management Program and Health Risk Appraisal Program Overviews
- Third Place in the category of Business/Operational Performance for the "Satisfaction Pays" Program
- Depression is added to the disease management program list.
- Kevin Seitz is named president and chief executive officer.
2000
- BCN wins AAHP Exemplary Practice for Asthma Award.
1999
- Claims operations are moved to west Michigan.
- Customer Service operations are moved to southeast Michigan.
1998
- Blue Care Network of Michigan is established as the largest HMO in Michigan with the merger of four independent regional HMOs.
page modified 09/23/2011