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Actually, no. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is not owned by investors. It’s owned by our members. Our business model means profits go back into the business. This lets us focus on finding innovative ways to make the health care system work in ways that deliver better care while controlling health care costs.
The rest of your premium helps process health care claims, provide customer service to our members, and offer programs to encourage people to stay well. A share also goes to the health insurer’s profit margin. If an insurer is a public company, the profit margin pays stockholders, among other things. For a non-investor-owned company like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, the profit margins are smaller, but a large part is used to fund company growth and better member services.
Here’s a breakout of where your health care premiums go:
Keep in mind, any time more money is going out to pay for people’s health care than coming in, adjustments are made so the insurer can stay in business and serve you. The health insurance company adjusts payments based on financials from the previous year. That means payments for health care services to providers may vary from year to year. As a result, our customers may see changes in their premiums from one year to the next.
Insurers are constantly working with doctors, hospitals and drug companies, along with other health care providers, to reduce costs without sacrificing quality.
In the end, your monthly health insurance payment does just that. It helps pay for your care, in sickness and health, every single year.
Want to know more? Read “Where Do My Health Care Payments Go?”
Originally published 7/5/2016; Revised 2022
Please send us a private msg with your contact info. I will delete the personal information that you included, but have shared your question with our customer service team & asked someone to reach out to you. Heather A
Hi, I am one of your members. My concern is the Carle Hospital Receptionist, phone (217) 383-1554 and CPT Code is 90717 asked me to contact you about my Yellow Fever that will cost around $400. Are you willing to pay off any cost of my travel vaccines and medications as needed. Please feel free to contact either me or Carle Hospital if you need further information. I need to know if my request meets your expectations as my health insurance company.