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.
2025 financial performance: coverage you can count on when health care costs are rising – BCBST News
BlueCross leaders share how rising health care costs impacted the company’s 2025 financial performance, highlighting efforts to maintain affordable, reliable coverage while paying $22.2 billion in member claims and investing in long-term financial stability.
BlueCross launches new medical equipment partnership – BCBST News
Experts outline how BlueCross’ new CareCentrix partnership will simplify access to medical equipment and help members receive needed care more efficiently.
How we’re keeping dental benefits affordable for Medicare Advantage members – BCBST News
Health plan professionals explain how enhanced care coordination, preventive services and strategic provider partnerships keep dental benefits affordable and accessible for Medicare Advantage members.
BlueCross, Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance and Ascension Launch Total Joint Replacement Bundle – BCBST News
BlueCross is partnering with providers to deliver bundled joint replacement care that simplifies the experience with one coordinated plan and bill, helping lower costs and improve transparency.
From Patient Protections to Rising Health Care Costs – BCBST News
BlueCross Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Scott Pierce explains how the No Surprises Act increases health care costs as providers use dispute processes to secure higher payments, driving up premiums and out-of-pocket expenses for consumers.
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.
Industry news
Five Takeaways From the WSJ’s Autism Billing-Abuse Investigation – The Wall Street Journal
Experts examine how autism-therapy spending has surged, prompting insurers to investigate potential billing abuses and fraudulent practices.
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 the factors driving up healthcare costs and insurance premiums.
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