Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Arizona Group Health Insurance Plans Explained

For employers who are considering a reliable insurer for group health insurance in Arizona, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Arizona may be worth evaluating. It’s one of the most popular insurers in Arizona, especially for businesses that are interested in fully insured plans for business groups of 51 or more employees .

In this article, learn about some of the benefits BCBS of Arizona provides, some things to consider, and how to get group health insurance for your employees.

Key Takeaways

• Surest is a groundbreaking health insurance product launched by UnitedHealthcare that requires only copays, no deductibles.
• Surest aims to reduce and even eliminate balance billing.
• Surest steers members to appropriate care. Ultimately, this helps reduce overall utilization and reduces cost of services for the member.
• While a major advantage of Surest is that costs are transparent through the app, they can also vary widely based on the provider. That can be a potential downside for members.

Pro: Competitive in AZ, Especially in the 51+ Fully Insured Category

In September 2024, “Forbes” ranked BCBS the Best Provider Network in the country, with a perfect 5 out of 5 stars rating. BCBS has also been ranked #1 in member satisfaction among commercial health plans in the U.S. Southwest region by J.D. Power. Some of the reasons BCBS has received so many notable accolades include:

• In Arizona, 98% of hospitals and 96% of physicians are included in the statewide provider network. 
• 1 in 3 people are covered by a BCBS company nationwide.
• BCBS has the largest provider network, with more than 1.7 million in-network providers.
• BCBS has better-than-average quality ratings, according to “Forbes”. 
• BCBS provides health insurance for businesses with 2 to 300+ employees, with three tiers of plans for various-sized businesses.

In particular, the BCBS Mid-Sized Business plan for 51 to 300 employees and Large Business plan for 300+ employees are popular in the state of Arizona for their range of benefit designs and network options. As both a nationally renowned brand and provider with a strong local reputation, many Arizona business owners choose BCBS as their insurance provider for their workforces.

Pro: Strong Local Focus & Community Involvement in AZ

BCBS has deep roots in Arizona, both with local healthcare providers and with community initiatives that support the overall well-being of populations within the state. In addition to virtually all hospitals and physicians in Arizona being within the BCBS statewide network, BCBS consistently participates in programs that bolster resident health. Some examples include:

• In July 2024, the BCBS of Arizona Foundation for Community & Health Advancement announced a $75K grant opportunity to address the loneliness epidemic. The grant will go toward a project that builds community and social connections, which ultimately improves health. 
• In June 2024, the BCBS of AZ Foundation awarded more than $1 million to 28 organizations working on projects to address the state’s most pressing health challenges.
• In June 2024, Fiesta Boal and BCBS of AZ awarded $95,500 to 28 Arizonans in the post-secondary and GED tracks through an Empowering Diversity scholarship.

These are just a few recent examples of BCBS of AZ’s community involvement, partnering with health-focused organizations and nonprofits that support community development. In total, the foundation has provided more than $20 million in funding so far, with 449 community partners and 15 Arizona counties served.

When AZ employers choose BCBS of AZ, they’re also selecting a provider that’s heavily involved with the well-being of the local community. 

Pro: Member Resources

As one of the largest health insurance providers in the U.S., another major advantage of using BCBS is that members can access many helpful resources that support their health and wellness. BCBS member education and resources include:

• Treatment cost estimator, which includes information on health treatments that are covered and what members may have to pay
• Registered nurses on-call 24/7 to answer common medical questions
• BlueCare Anywhere, which provides virtual access to board-certified medical professionals 24/7
• ShareCare, a health and wellness hub with resources on longevity, lifestyle choices and mental health

BCBS of AZ members can get help with their health 24/7 and learn tips on how to make healthy choices. This extra layer of support could benefit your workforce and also lead to less absenteeism.

Pro: Prosano Health Solutions

Another interesting benefit of BCBS of AZ is the company’s Prosano Health Solutions, a services-oriented subsidiary with several Advanced Primary Care Centers throughout the state. The model includes one-stop access to primary care, lab services, same-day appointments, virtual options, behavioral health practitioners and a selection of prescription medications. 

Employer groups can enroll in the AZ BCBC BlueSignature Prosano plan to give their employees access to the Advanced Primary Care Centers, in addition to a national PPO. This is another potential value-add for employees.

Con: Frequent Travelers May Be Better-Suited to Other Plans

The one minor consideration employers should make with BCBS is that if you have a workforce that frequently travels, there may be better plans with more comprehensive network coverage, depending on where workers travel. You’ll want to research the reach of BCBS compared to where your workforce travels to most frequently. 

BCBS of AZ Could Be a Good Group Health Insurance Choice

With a strong local and national presence, abundant health and wellness resources for members, and community initiatives, BCBS could be a good choice for group health insurance for your workforce.

To learn more about all employer health insurance options that are available to your business, contact AZ Health Insurance Brokers for a free group health insurance consultation. Contact us online, email quotes@azhealthinsurancebrokers.com or call 602.617.4107 to connect. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Arizona Group Health Insurance FAQs