News and updates
BlueCross updates
To learn more about our approach to affordability and our efforts to help manage healthcare costs, see the links below.
Why AI in medical billing matters for health care costs | Opinion – BCBST News
BlueCross VP of enterprise risk adjustment, quality and affordability Dr. J.B. Sobel, writes about the ways that AI tools can lead to inflated medical care costs and what BCBST is doing to help.
What Tennesseans Need to Know About 2026 Marketplace Plans – BCBST News
BlueCross explains 2026 Marketplace rates, along with factors driving costs to help members prepare for open enrollment and make informed decisions about their coverage.
How to Find the Right Health Plan During Open Enrollment – BCBST News
BlueCross SVP of Corporate Communications Dalya Qualls White shares tips to help members select the right coverage for their needs.
Affordable Health Care is on the Line for Tennesseans – BCBST News
BlueCross Vice President of Product Strategy & Individual Markets Michael Eiselstein explains the importance of enhanced premium tax credits in managing costs for our Marketplace members.
New ways we’re driving cost savings for employers and members – BCBST News
Our changes include improving the way we review claims before they’re paid and adjusting payment policies for mid-level providers like nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Our commitment to improving prior authorization – BCBST News
We make sure the care and medications our members receive are safe, clinically appropriate, covered by their plan, and cost-effective. And we’re making prior authorizations work better for everyone.
How drug costs are affecting Tennesseans – BCBST News
We paid out $3.5 billion for prescriptions in 2024. Providing access to safe and effective drugs is core to our purpose, but we also have to consider how they raise costs for everyone.
Our role is promoting health care affordability – BCBST News
We’re here to help our members and customers get the right care, at the best price. So, we negotiate prices and use evidence-based guidelines for what we cover.
Industry news
New study reveals why health gaps persist for many Tennesseans – Tennessean
The Healthy Tennessee report, released in March, looks at the health and habits of two million BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee members and identifies key social barriers to optimal health such as food insecurity, housing, financial strain and debt burden income.
BCBS study: Hospital AI billing tools may be driving up healthcare costs by billions – Becker's Health IT
Becker's reports on new data showing that AI coding may be a driver in the connection between rising hospital coding intensity and higher healthcare costs. BlueCross BlueShield is the first insurer to publicly offer proof of AI-driven overbilling by hospitals.
One on One with Scott Pierce: Supporting health care affordability – Nashville Business Journal
The Nashville Business Journal speaks with Scott Pierce, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, about the steps the company is taking to protect affordability for its members.
Many in TN can get free health services but don't bother. What to know – Tennessean
The Tennessean offers a deep dive into the free services and preventative care that people can receive with their insurance, including mammograms, certain cancer screenings, annual wellness visits for children and more.
Hospital Spending Accounted for 40% of the Growth in National Health Spending between 2022 and 2024 – KFF
KFF explores the extent to which hospital spending has contributed to the growth in national health expenditures.
Why Millions of Americans are Seeing a Spike in Healthcare Costs – PBS PBS explores some of thttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-millions-of-americans-are-facing-a-spike-in-health-care-costshe factors driving up healthcare costs and insurance premiums.
33K in Hamilton County Face 40% Hikes in Health Insurance Rates – Times Free Press
The Chattanooga Times Free Press explores the effects of the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits on insurance costs for Hamilton County residents.
Tennessee Health Insurance Premiums to Rise Sharply – Tennessean
The Tennessean explores rising premium costs for Tennessee residents ahead of 2025 open enrollment.
Legislative resources
- •How proposed legislation could increase health care costs for members
- •Addressing inaccurate coding for health care claims
- •The impact of proposed changes to Medicare Advantage in Tennessee
- •Protecting affordability for our members
- •Protecting the role of PBMs in pharmacy management
- •Step therapy - How proposed legislation creates risks for members