Why Blue Shield? Our values set us apart

When you work with us, you work with a partner as committed as you are to setting your organization up for success. Our plans and services are built to meet the evolving needs of your diverse workforce, and we’re committed to changing the trajectory of health care for the better: better solutions, better value for your healthcare dollar, and a better experience for employees.

Our mission: To provide high-quality health coverage worthy of our families and friends, at a sustainably affordable price.

Blue Shield is a taxpaying nonprofit with a 2% income cap, which allows us to give back to community and customers—and empowers us to act differently. We do what’s best for you and your employees, not shareholders.

  • Who are you doing business with? Our vision and values

    The United States has a diverse population, with diverse healthcare needs, so we place a deep emphasis on workplace inclusivity. Employee diversity, a key business differentiator, has afforded us an ethical and unbiased viewpoint on the healthcare system, as well as provides a lens on creative problem-solving that we apply to all our client and member relationships.

  • Deloitte

    Best Managed Companies

    2024, 2023, 2022, 2020

  • Points of Light

    The Civic 50

    2024

  • DiversityInc

    Top Regional Companies Top Board of Directors Top Mentoring Company Top LGBTQ+ Employees Top Native American Pacific Islander Executives Top Women Executives Top Latino Executives Top Philanthropy Top Talent Acquisition for Women of Color

    2024

  • Gartner

    Eye on Innovation Award

    2023

  • Healthcare Innovation

    Winning Stories of Innovation

    2024

California headquarters. National coverage.

  • California networks

    Our networks in California are strong and getting stronger. We currently cover over 4.65 million members, one of the most diverse populations in the world.

    47 ACOs and growing

    100% of San Francisco zip codes

    100% of Orange County zip codes

    97% of San Diego zip codes

    96% of Sacramento zip codes

    95% of Los Angeles zip codes

  • BlueCard® national network

    The Blues have meant health care to millions of Americans for generations.

    79% of Fortune 100 companies have Blue coverage

    100% of US zip codes served

    2.0M+ providers nationwide

    $20 PMPM savings over competitor average

    98% of claims paid in-network

  • Health Reimagined: Real change is systemic change

    Changing a complex health system takes commitment—and Blue Shield is all in. We’re reimagining care to make it more accessible, more affordable, and simpler for everyone.

    That includes building a modern health ecosystem that makes “anytime, anywhere” care not just possible but seamless. It means addressing rising costs; for instance, how payments move through the healthcare system or how we can help control the cost of prescription drugs. And it means a shift in focus to healthier outcomes for all.

  • Health care isn’t just a job to us—it’s our passion

    When you partner with Blue Shield of California, you’ll be working with people who are passionate about delivering health plans and healthcare solutions that work for everybody.

    • 92%

      EMPLOYEE APPROVAL RATING FOR CEO PAUL MARKOVICH ON GLASSDOOR, 2021

    • 94%

      EMPLOYEES VOTING BLUE SHIELD OF CALIFORNIA A GREAT PLACE TO WORK VIA GPTW

  • Recognized by Ethisphere for the 12th time (8th time in a row) as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® for 2024.

    “One of Blue Shield of California’s strategic pillars is to stand for what’s right,” said Venetia Marshall, vice president, chief risk, and compliance officer at Blue Shield of California. “That means ethical behavior is an integral part of our company’s DNA and we believe that will help us reach our vision of creating a healthcare system worthy of our family and friends.”

  • Advocating for a better health system

    Disrupting drug pricing: Disrupting drug pricing: Blue Shield supports programs designed to drive down prescription costs, from a data-driven virtual pharmacy pilot to a Blue initiative to manufacture generics for consumers.

    Promoting a health data network: We’re investing in initiatives that will help health data systems “talk to each other” so we can help reduce unnecessary and duplicative tests and procedures, which account for billions of dollars in wasted spending. Further, we want physicians treating people in the ER to have accurate patient information at their fingertips when they have to make fast, lifesaving decisions.

    Tackling access and affordability: Blue Shield advocates with state and federal legislators to support transparency and affordable access to care, and that addresses health inequities.

  • Blue Shield of California Foundation

    Blue Shield supports the Blue Shield of California Foundation, which operates independently but shares our values of health equity for all. The Foundation focuses on building healthier communities through a variety of initiatives with a primary focus on prevention and healing of domestic abuse.

    Since its inception in 2004, Blue Shield has contributed more than $736M to its Foundation.

    $17.8M and 70 grants in total awarded by the Foundation to health & domestic violence prevention programs in 2023.

    The Blue Shield of California Foundation is an independent organization. Blue Shield of California Health Plan has no influence over grant-making decisions.

Let's discuss how Blue Shield can help your workforce stay healthy and focused.