Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts was founded in 1937 by eight community leaders who wanted to make sure their neighbors could get high-quality, affordable health care when they need it.

We've been here ever since: a respected not-for-profit company that has a significant economic impact on Massachusetts, the state's leading health insurer, a responsible steward of the health care premiums entrusted to us, and a valued corporate citizen that makes a considerable contribution to the community.

Economic Impact
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts recently commissioned its first economic impact report to determine the effect of our business operations on the state. You can read the full report. According to the study, in 2008, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts:

• Contributed almost $1.6 billion to the state's economy
• Generated the equivalent of more than 5,800 full-time jobs
• Paid nearly $217 million in taxes and other revenue to the state government—despite our not-for-profit status

Responsible Steward
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is a not-for-profit business. Our members expect us to spend their premium dollars wisely. The chart below illustrates how we spent our members' premiums in 2008. About 90 cents of every dollar we receive in premiums is used to pay the health care services our members receive.

Valued Corporate Citizen
We are more than a business. Our impact and success is more than commercial. We are part of the community, committed to helping those in need and proud to make a difference through our approach to business, the talent of our associates, our commitment to the environment , our philanthropy, and our leadership. Learn more about our 2008 Corporate Citizenship efforts.

• As a business, we encourage the development and growth of minority and women-owned business enterprises.
• We were named to the Boston Globe's 2008 "Top 100 Places Work" as a business that excels at "creating a dynamic, supportive, and inclusive workplace."



• Our recycling initiative recovered more than 228 tons of paper since April 2008.



• The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation awarded $4.49 million in grants to help expand access to health care for low-income, vulnerable, and uninsured residents of the Commonwealth.



• We are leading community efforts to improve health care. For instance, we dedicated $52 million dollars to accelerate the implementation of electronic health records and e-prescribing tools in hospitals and doctor's offices.