Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Reviews 143

My wife bought supplemental insurance from BCBS to supplement Medicare. In Feb. of 2024 she passed away. Around March 10, 2024, I received a letter from BCBS stating that they had deducted March’s premium from my wife’s account after she passed away, so they were working to refund the money.

In April of 2024, I received two checks totaling a little over $300 as a reimbursement for those premiums, but they were made out to her estate account, which did not exist. My bank refused to cash the checks unless I opened an estate account, which I chose not to do.

I sent the two checks back to BCBS with a letter explaining they were not acceptable, and that they had two options. They could reverse the transaction and replace the money from the account from which it was removed. If this was not acceptable, they could reissue the checks naming me, her late husband, as the payee.

This was done at the end of April in 2024.

I did not hear from BCBS again until April of 2025 when I filed a complaint with the BBB. After filing the complaint, I received a call from a secretary at BCBS who stated that they cannot make the refund because I did not provide them with the necessary documentation that they require to refund the money. I informed the secretary that I would not provide them with additional information because they had all the info they needed to refund the money, and that I do not negotiate with thieves, after which I hung up.

I received a letter about a week later from the BBB stating that I had hung up on their representative and that they could not release any information regarding this problem because of sensitive health information. There is no sensitive health information because my wife is deceased.

It’s now been over 19 months since they accidentally removed the funds, and they are refusing to reimburse me. This is starting to look more like less of an accident and more like a purposeful act to defraud me of a crummy $300 refund.

If anyone is looking for supplemental insurance, I would strongly suggest they look elsewhere than BCBS of Illinois because of my poor experience with them.

Horrible customer service from insurance agent, just told me to call the 1-800 number and when I was asking him what the full number was he cut the call while I was speaking. Was very rude and seemed like he did not want to be on the phone. The company needs to hire better insurance agents.

* BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD {ANTHEM} HAS A 1.3 APPROVAL RATING & I CAN SEE WHY CONSTANT DENIALS OR STALL TACTICS OR STRATEGY ON CLAIMS VERY RUDE CUSTOMER SERVICE {THE GATE KEEPERS} GIVING OUT FALSE INFORMATION SENT FROM ONE OPERATOR TO ANOTHER, POSSIBLY UP TO 6 OR MORE FOR THE SAME ISSUE .
NEVER A CALL BACK NEVER SEND OUT INFORMATION LIKE APPROVAL OR DENIAL LETTERS ETC. END OF YEAR INCREASE IN DENIALS INCREASE IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ON OUR SYSTEM BOGGING-DOWN UNITED STATES CITIZENS CLAIMS OVERALL BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD {ANTHEM} IS BY FAR THE WORST IN THE CRAPPER INSURANCE COMPANY THAT OUR ST. LOUIS MISSOURI LABORS UNION LOCAL # 110 CONSTRUCTION UNION HAS EVER HELD FOR THEIR MEMBERS COST PER MONTH PREMIUMS AVERAGE AT $1000 ADDING A LARGE DEDUCTIBLES TAKEN OUT OF MEMBERS PENSIONS & MOST OF ALL, I HOPE THE GOVERNMENT CAN CANCEL OUT WASTE ,FRAUD & ABUSE IN OUR INSURANCE SYSTEM WHILE THE FEEL OF SOCIALISM IS IN THE AIR, IT WILL FAIL AS PEOPLE THAT DON’T WANT TO WORK GET SUBSIDIES & PEOPLE THAT WORK ARE GETTING VERY TIRED OF WORKING TO PAY FOR OTHERS ON OUR SYSTEM THAT CAN’T OR WON’T WORK BOGGIG-DOWN OUR SYSTEM……….

We have no choice because husband's work offers this "affordable" option. Its not affordable, and they cover almost nothing anyway. Hit and miss whether they will accept something is "medically necessary" only after completed. This all feels very illegal, and 100% wrong for sure. Someone should be thoroughly ashamed. Im certain anyone they care about would be.

Stayed on hold for over 2hrs for a 5min question. Terrible service once I got through them. Blame it on open enrollment in November? Give me a break. Somehow it's my fault they can't be useful

Big shout out to customer/sales associate rep “Steven” who hung up on me immediately after I told him I needed him with my father’s plan. What’s the matter, only take calls that are going to increase that commission check? You guys are terrible and I will be recommending against you guys.

Blue Cross Blue Shield is a disgrace, and Evolent is their pathetic little denial machine. These clowns exist for one purpose: to block people from getting the care they pay for. They denied my knee and back MRIs for no reason whatsoever, while approving the same MRI for my wife. Total inconsistency, total incompetence. We hand them over $20,000 every year, and in return they give us nothing but denials, hoops, and headaches. This isn’t insurance — it’s a scam, a rip-off, and a predatory joke. I’m done with their bullshit.

Horrible customer service. Never written a review this angry in my life. Absolutely terrible. Rating is a negative 10,000,000.

Called customer service multiple times with no resolution to anything.

Couple highlights...

Agent 1
We have met the family deductible on our plan. The rep says there's an embedded deductible that also has to be met, which is crap. Once the family deductible is met, there is no more deductible for anybody on the family plan. Always been that way. Continues to argue with me.

Agent 2
She reads off notes on my case from the computer as she goes, but can't explain what they mean. Tells me to stop interrupting her. I'm trying to understand what it is she is reading and asking for clarification so I can follow the logic.

Thank you BCBS. I now understand why jobs are being replaced with AI. At least a robot in costumer service could pretend to care! Certainly a robot could grasp the idea of pressing two buttons to transfer your call without talking sh*t and hanging up! 4/4 human reps managed to do none of the above. I should play the lotto with this luck and then pour myself a drink bc I finally CANCELLED MY POLICY!! WOOHOO! I’ll be waiting for a check for doing your employees work BCBS!

It sucks not having insurance but it’s to the point that no insurance is better than blue cross blue shield. I would recommend everyone to avoid this insurance at all costs

Hello,
I would like to report a co worker at the company who has commited international fraud.
I Have all his information and whatsapp messages, I already opened a case with the FBI and contacted the police in Arkansas where he lives.
Could you please contact me, I'm already assisting the police department and I rather have this to remain private for the sake of the company

Your website is just awful. Been with BCBS for 40 yrs and spent 2 days trying to get on the website. Used my password, tried to get a new password, nothing.

Not nice, the woman spoke very rude to me. Did not want to help me all. Spoke to me as I was stupid.

Blue Shield of California Under Fire: High Prices, Poor Leadership, and Broken Promises
Blue Shield of California, once seen as a trusted name in health insurance, is rapidly gaining a reputation for being one of the worst providers in the state. Thousands of Californians are speaking out against the company’s outrageous pricing, poor service, and questionable partnership with Covered California — and many are placing the blame squarely on its leadership, particularly CEO Lois Quam.
Under Quam’s leadership, Blue Shield has taken a sharp turn for the worse. What should be a non-profit health insurer focused on helping people has become a bloated corporation acting more like a government bureaucracy than a customer-first healthcare provider. Premiums have skyrocketed, deductibles have soared, and access to affordable care is becoming harder to secure.
Many policyholders report being priced out of their own health plans, even as they remain under Blue Shield’s supposedly affordable umbrella. Customers trying to navigate care options or get answers from the company often face long hold times, unhelpful representatives, and a system that seems designed to frustrate rather than assist.
Adding insult to injury, Blue Shield’s tight relationship with Covered California — the state’s health insurance marketplace — has sparked widespread criticism. Rather than giving consumers options and lowering costs, this partnership appears to function as a pricing trap. Blue Shield premiums on Covered California are often higher than competitors, yet the system encourages users to choose them by highlighting coverage tiers or offering deceptive comparisons. It feels less like a health plan and more like a racket.
Critics argue that Lois Quam has failed in her duty to lead a fair, responsible healthcare company. Instead, under her watch, Blue Shield has continued to push higher rates while delivering substandard service and squeezing families who are already struggling with medical costs.
With California residents desperate for affordable, reliable care, many are asking: how much longer will this continue? Blue Shield of California needs a serious overhaul — in pricing, service, and leadership — before it loses whatever credibility it has left.
If you’re currently covered by Blue Shield and feeling the pressure, you’re not alone. Thousands are calling for accountability, transparency, and real competition. It’s time for California to demand better.
Customer Service Natalie Johnstone, Natalie Stoven.

BEWARE - these people are so incompetent that they've accidentally canceled insurance, apparently for everyone with a YPI number. Received this message in their CS chat - "Due to an isolated issue, on the providers portal members with YPI prefix will return an error message until June 16, 2025. We are aware of the issue and it has been corrected in our system. I apologize for any inconvenience. I would advise that your provider resubmit their claim after June 16."
When I told the lady that the company is endangering many patients, she cut off the conversation.
I'm going to see about a class action lawsuit.

I am unable to get timely care because providers cannot reach them to verify coverage. BCBS coverage is worse enough but when a doctor, lab or dentist office is not being able to reach them that's even worse. That delays my care. That also delays my ability to efficiently shop for services, most of which I'm paying for.

I have to work with them at the urgent care I work with. They give the WORST coverage of ANY of the insurance providers. Their pre-deductable out of pocket costs are 50% as opposed to others averaging 25%. And their denials are worse than United, and they are famously bad. I am talking charging patients $326 for a $600 xray. Patients are literally leaving in pain because of this. This is flat out cruelty.

They will constantly claim you are insured by them to get extra money, and it makes life an absolute living hell to get benefits from current insurance coverage. I keep getting full bills, can't refill prescriptions or get any help because BCBS is clogging the system constantly.

My diagnosis is Ankolosing spondylitis, I have been through all the conservative tx there are, I am to have ablation on my upper back next week, BC/BS is trying to send me back through physical therapy again to keep from paying for the ablation, physical therapy doesn't help only makes things worse, my condition Will not get better only worse with my diagnosis. BC/BS IS A CRAPPY INSURANCE you pay your premium but when time to get treatment they do everything they can to keep from paying the bills.

Heads up!
The new insurance
(Blue Craoss Blue Shield) is going to be the death of me and many more people!

Just implemented ON MARCH 17TH.
IF YOU'RE Pre-Diabetic . ( That means if you're under 6.5.) The ONLY medication they will approve is 2 kinds of Metformin.
Now Metformin is harmful for your kidneys and liver.
Yes . I'm under that. Only because of the medication ,diet and exercise.
I inherited my diabetes. The other medication helps me stay at a safe A1C 5.8. Not harmful to my kidneys and liver. I take or took Farxiga. BCBS wont cover it. Its not for weight lost. IT'S To help control diabetes and stay at a safe A1C.
The insurance said to tell your doctor to do Pier to Peir. OK. Still not approved. Because MY A1C isnt over a 6.5.The run around. I still don't have medication. Cant have any blood work till May.