News and updates
Updates from BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and across the industry on the rising cost of healthcare.
BlueCross updates
To learn more about our approach to affordability and our efforts to help manage healthcare costs, see the links below.
What Tennesseans need to know about 2026 marketplace plans
BlueCross explains 2026 Marketplace rates, along with factors driving costs to help members prepare for open enrollment and make informed decisions about their coverage.
Why AI in medical billing matters for health care costs
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.
From patient protections to rising health care costs
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.
BlueCross, Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance and Ascension Launch Total Joint Replacement Bundle
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.
How we’re keeping dental benefits affordable for Medicare Advantage members
Health plan professionals explain how enhanced care coordination, preventive services and strategic provider partnerships keep dental benefits affordable and accessible for Medicare Advantage members.
Industry news
For more on rising health care costs, see the articles below:
A $480,000-a-Year Pill Reflects a New Normal for Cancer Drugs
Rasonque, the new pancreatic cancer treatment from Revolution Medicines, illustrates the huge inflation in cancer drug prices over the past two decades.
Costs tied to No Surprises Act’s IDR process hit $22B in 2025, study finds
Fierce Healthcare reports that the total costs associated with the No Surprises Act’s controversial process for arbitrating medical billing disputes actually reached 22.4 billion in 2025, and that three organizations accounted for nearly three-quarters of resolved disputes.
How hospital monopolies are driving up the cost of your health care
The Washington Post examines how hospital consolidation can limit competition and increase prices, contributing to higher healthcare costs across the system.
Medical billing arbitration paid out $15 Billion to providers in surprise bill disputes
The Wall Street Journal examines a controversial process for arbitrating medical billing disputes, which awarded nearly $15 billion in payouts to healthcare providers last year, more than triple the total for 2024.
33K in Hamilton County face 40% hikes in health insurance rates
The Chattanooga Times Free Press explores the effects of the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits on insurance costs for Hamilton County residents.
Legislative resources
View the below resources to learn more about proposed legislation, affordability topics and what BlueCross is doing to help our members.
- •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