Who Owns Anthem Blue Shield?

Anthem Blue Shield traces its origins to 1946 when Blue Cross and Blue Shield organizations began merging to create statewide health insurance plans. The brand operated under various Blue Cross Blue Shield names throughout the 20th century, becoming one of the most recognized health insurance brands in America. This founding period reflected the post-war healthcare transformation in the United States, when the need for comprehensive health coverage became increasingly apparent and collaborative approaches to healthcare financing began to emerge as a solution to rising healthcare costs and the growing complexity of medical care delivery.

In 2004, the company adopted the Anthem name while maintaining the Blue Shield brand identity in many states. Anthem Blue Shield continued to expand its membership and service offerings throughout the 2000s and 2010s, becoming a leading provider of health insurance across multiple states. This strategic rebranding demonstrated the company's evolution from regional Blue Shield operations to a national health insurance provider while maintaining the trusted Blue Shield brand identity that consumers had come to rely on for quality healthcare coverage and provider networks.

In 2022, the parent company rebranded from Anthem to Elevance Health, reflecting its evolution beyond traditional health insurance into a broader health services organization. Anthem Blue Shield maintained its brand identity while operating under the Elevance Health corporate umbrella. This corporate transformation showcased the company's recognition that healthcare was evolving beyond simple insurance coverage to include integrated care delivery, wellness services, and digital health solutions that could address the full spectrum of member health needs while maintaining the trusted Blue Shield brand promise.

Today, Anthem Blue Shield serves millions of members across the United States through comprehensive health insurance products and integrated care services. The brand continues to build on its legacy of providing reliable healthcare coverage while embracing new technologies and care delivery models that can improve health outcomes and enhance the member experience. This ongoing evolution demonstrates Anthem Blue Shield's ability to balance tradition with innovation while maintaining its commitment to providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare coverage to individuals and families across the communities it serves.