Guide To Health Insurance.org

About CareFirst

CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield consists of two companies: CareFirst of Maryland, Inc. and Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, Inc. Both are owned by Care First Inc., a not for profit, non-stock company that does business in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Delaware, and Northern Virginia. CareFirst also owns Blue Shield of Delaware.

CareFirst is governed by a Board of Governors and is only licensed to do business in the restricted geographic area of the mid Atlantic states. The company's roots extend all the way back to 1934, when Group Hospitalization Inc. was originally formed by a hospital association in Washington. Within a few years, the original company expanded into Maryland and Delaware, and then became affiliated with Blue Cross in 1942 and Blue Shield in 1943.

• It is the largest health care insurer in the mid Atlantic region.
  
  
• More than 80 percent of all health care providers participate in at least one of its provider networks.
  
  
• Its provider network includes 165 hospitals in Maryland, D.C., Northern Virginia and Delaware as part of its operations.
  
  
• CareFirst provides insurance to more than 3.3 million members, including over 500,000 federal government employees.
  
  
• CareFirst operates a for-profit regional HMO subsidiary -- CareFirst BlueChoice, Inc. -- that also operates within the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. More than 3,500 primary care physicians are associated with the HMO.
  
  

CareFirst Plans

CareFirst provides a broad range of insurance plans (individual, self employed and group) that include medical, dental and vision care options, prescription drug plans, and ongoing wellness options. They continue to be a non-profit organization and state they will work within the community to improve the quality of healthcare, as well as support public and private initiatives to help people who do not have health insurance.

CareFirst Headquarters

CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield is located at 10455 and 10453 Mill Run Circle, Owings Mills, MD 21117, (410) 581-3000.