With over 100 million people receiving coverage, Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance is one of the most well-recognized options available today. Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance offers a wide range of services, including hospital coverage, doctor’s appointments, and more. 

Blue Cross provides hospital service coverage, while Blue Shield covers doctors’ services. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an alliance of different health insurance businesses covering people in each state. Each company is independently operated and locally owned, selling services relative to their home states/regions. Blue Cross Blue Shield remains America’s most popular health insurance company, with high ratings and good reviews from its customers.

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BCBS Health Insurance Offerings for 2025

The following are the options available for Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance for 2025.

BCBSIL Coverage for Individuals and Families

If you are looking for coverage that meets your ongoing needs for yourself and your family, BCBSIL is available. These plans allow you to choose the coverage right for your specific situation. You can choose the type of plan right for you within three tiers:

• Gold: Gold plans are best for those with chronic health conditions or who need a high level of healthcare. You want to grow your family soon, and you want lower out-of-pocket costs but a higher monthly premium.
• Silver: Silver plans are best for those who have regular medical needs, such as visiting a doctor once or twice a year, and want lower out-of-pocket costs when they need medical care.
• Bronze: The Bronze plans are best for people who do not take prescription medications and want the lowest premiums. 

Family and individual plans are available as HMO and PP plans through BCBS health insurance. Each plan option is a bit different, but some key features of BCBS insurance include:

• All Affordable Care Act requirements are met across all plans.
• Choose a plan that lasts a year or longer.
• Choose different levels of coverage with a variety of cost levels.

BCBS Dental and Vision Insurance

The company offers a wide range of dental and vision plans that include routine care treatment and annual visits, as well as specialized help for specific needs. You can purchase these policies as stand-alone coverage or as a component of your individual and family health plan.

What’s New for 2025 from Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance?

It’s essential to consider specific policy differences (each policy may offer various updates and changes). Because Blue Cross Blue Shield is a large parent company for numerous smaller, often state-specific plans, you’ll need to look at your current plan to notice any differences. This includes changes to coverage, deductibles, and costs.

BCBS Health Insurance Offerings Overview

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Acupuncture?

Generally, Blue Cross health plans cover acupuncture if prescribed by a primary care practitioner (PCP) and deemed medically necessary. This may be due to chronic pain that has lasted at least six months and has not responded to other treatment, such as medication or physical therapy, or for nausea resulting from surgery or chemotherapy. 

Coverage limitations for acupuncture vary from state to state, so make sure to check with your provider to determine whether it is covered. 

Please be weary of receiving acupuncture treatment if you are pregnant, have a pacemaker, or take blood thinners.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Chiropractic Services?

Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield covers chiropractic services when they are determined medically necessary. Common chiropractic treatments include therapeutic exercise and stretching, spinal traction, and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), among others.

In most cases, the individual must have clinical symptoms of a condition that may be improved or resolved by standard chiropractic therapy. For full coverage, a treatment plan must be clearly documented, the chiropractic procedures must be clearly related to the patient’s condition, and the chiropractic care must be performed by a licensed chiropractor.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Allergy Testing?

Blue Cross Blue Shield will cover allergy testing when determined to be medically necessary. Certain allergy testing procedures, such as routine re-testing, may not be covered. 

Allergy testing and desensitization injections can be a great way to determine allergies and prevent bad reactions if determined to be medically necessary by the Primary Care Physician. Allergy testing and immunotherapy are covered if you are referred by your physician.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Abortions?

Some job-based health plans cover elective abortions. Patients can search their plan documents or call their insurers directly to check.

However, due to the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade, no American insurance companies cover abortions or abortion-related treatments. 

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Gender Reassignment Surgery?

In some states, Blue Cross Blue Shield covers gender reassignment surgery when such surgery is considered medically necessary for the treatment of gender dysphoria. Other criteria or assessments might be evaluated for surgery consideration. 

As an example, according to BCBS of North Carolina, criteria for adults age 18 years and older for gender affirmation surgery include:

• The candidate is at least 18 years of age
• The candidate has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, including meeting all of the following indications:
  • A strong conviction to live as some alternative gender different from one’s assigned gender
  • The desire to make the physical body as congruent as possible with the identified sex through surgery and hormone treatment
  • The affirmed gender identity has been present for at least 6 months
  • If significant medical or mental health concerns are present, they must be reasonably well-controlled
  • The gender dysphoria causes clinical or social distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Birth Control?

Blue Cross Blue Shield includes coverage for birth control, including oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices, injections, and emergency contraception. Coverage may depend on the type of plan you are enrolled in. 

To view a full list of birth control options that Blue Cross Blue Shield can cover, click here. 

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Breast Reduction?

Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield if considered medically necessary. 

Several criteria must be met, including a diagnosis of macromastia, the diagnosis of two or more symptoms of hypertrophy (backache, posture change, hygiene problems, or other), and the failure to relieve symptoms using nonsurgical treatment (including exercise, hot/cold treatment, and an appropriate support bra) for at least six weeks. Patients must also be at least 18 years old or must have reached breast maturity. 

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Infertility Treatment?

Blue Cross Blue Shield covers infertility when it is categorized by a primary care practitioner (PCP) or obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) as medically necessary. 

Diagnostic tests, including tests to rule out endocrine causes of infertility and semen analysis, among other tests, must be performed to determine that infertility treatments are necessary. Treatments may include infertility drugs and operative procedures, but coverage frequently excludes artificial means of conception, such as artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization (IVF). 

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover STI/STD Testing?

Some STI testing, including screening for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and Hepatitis A and B, are covered by Blue Shield Blue Cross for both sexually active men and women when it is deemed medically necessary. 

This may include testing as part of a pregnancy screening, testing for individuals who are deemed high-risk, testing for victims of sexual assault, or routine testing for homosexual men. 

Testing for certain STDs — like HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea — is one of the most effective preventive health benefits that most health plans cover.

BCBS Mental Health Insurance Overview

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Mental Health Services? 

Blue Cross Blue Shield covers a variety of mental health services, treatments, and medications through its various company’s coverage. The three main treatments covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield are harm reduction, medication management, and therapy.

It is important to note that evidence-based treatment, like therapy and psychoanalysis, is covered, but services rendered outside of a therapy setting, such as systematic desensitization or exposure therapy for a specific phobia, are typically not covered. 

Contact your state’s Blue Cross Blue Shield to see what can be covered for your mental health treatment.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover therapy costs?

Yes, many Blue Cross Blue Shield plans cover therapy, often focusing coverage on evidence-based therapeutic services, such as psychoanalysis. It’s best to clarify coverage with your provider directly by phone. 

Therefore, traditional therapy, like in-office cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosis, or talk therapy, will most likely be covered, but out-of-office therapy may not be.

BCBS Dental Insurance Overview

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Annual Dental Costs?

Most Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) providers offer separate dental insurance plans that can be purchased in addition to medical coverage. These plans typically fall into two categories:

• Preventive coverage, which includes routine cleanings, exams, and fluoride treatments.
• Comprehensive coverage, which includes additional services such as fillings, periodontal treatments, and certain oral surgeries.

Since BCBS operates through different regional providers, coverage details and benefits vary by state. Check with your local BCBS provider for exact coverage details.

What Dental Procedures Are Covered?

Coverage varies by plan, but many BCBS dental plans include:

• Preventive care: Routine cleanings, fluoride treatments, oral exams, and sealants.
• Basic services: Fillings, simple extractions, and X-rays.
• Periodontal services: Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), periodontal maintenance, and treatment for gum disease.
• Major services: Root canals, crowns, dentures, and some oral surgeries.

Always review your specific BCBS plan to confirm coverage details, as not all procedures are covered under every plan.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Braces?

Coverage for braces and orthodontic treatments varies widely:

• Some BCBS dental plans cover orthodontic care for children and dependents under 19.
• Adult orthodontic coverage is less common and may only be available under select comprehensive plans.
• Braces and clear aligners (like Invisalign) are often classified as cosmetic procedures, meaning they may not be covered or may have limited coverage.

Check with your regional BCBS provider to see if orthodontic benefits are included in your plan.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Dental Surgery?

Yes, many BCBS dental plans provide coverage for certain dental surgeries, including:

• Tooth extractions, including impacted wisdom teeth removal.
• Periodontal surgeries, such as gum grafting.
• Reconstructive procedures, if medically necessary.

Coverage amounts and out-of-pocket costs depend on your plan and whether you visit an in-network or out-of-network provider.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Yes, most BCBS dental plans cover wisdom tooth extractions, especially if they are impacted or causing health issues.

• Some plans cover simple extractions under basic benefits.
• Surgical extractions (for impacted wisdom teeth) may fall under major services, requiring additional out-of-pocket costs.

Check with your specific plan to determine what percentage of the procedure is covered.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Dental Implants?

Coverage for dental implants depends on the specific plan and the medical necessity of the procedure:

• Some higher-tier BCBS dental plans cover implants when they are needed due to injury or disease.
• Many plans do not cover implants if they are deemed cosmetic (e.g., replacing a missing tooth for aesthetic reasons).

To determine implant coverage, check your local BCBS provider’s policies and request a pre-treatment estimate before proceeding.

For the most accurate information, visit www.bcbs.com and enter your state to find your local BCBS provider’s offerings.

BCBS Vision Insurance Overview

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Lasik?

Some Blue Cross Blue Shield vision plans, which can be purchased separately from traditional medical insurance, offer a discount on LASIK eye surgery. The LASIK discount is usually between 15-25%, depending on the state.

Typically, no third-party insurers or governmental insurers cover the surgery, but they can offer a discount or rebate.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery using the mono-focal intraocular lens is covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield. Review the individual vision plan to learn alternative coverage for cataracts. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans cover cataract surgery, as it’s covered by Original Medicare and seen as a necessary medical procedure. 

BCBS Prescription Drug Insurance Overview

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Hearing Aids?

Coverage for hearing aids can typically be collected through a Blue Cross Medicare Supplement or Legacy Medigap plan. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield typically doesn’t cover hearing aids in many of its standard insurance plans (like HMO and PPO), but it does offer supplemental options for its Medicare plans.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Blood Pressure Monitors?

Some Blue Cross Blue Shield plans may cover blood pressure monitors when they are considered medically necessary (for instance, when there’s a diagnosis of hypertension). 

In other instances, blood pressure monitors are covered by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program. Check with your state’s coverage for more details. 

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Cialis?

Blue Cross Blue Shield covers Cialis if it is determined medically necessary. Alternative prescription drugs are often covered as well. 

A patient must have a diagnosis of erectile dysfunction or benign prostatic hyperplasia, among other criteria, in order for coverage to apply. 

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Chantix?

Chantix is a smoking cessation treatment that helps people addicted to nicotine curb their cravings and kick the bad habit. Chantix is covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield.

However, if a recall occurs, Blue Cross Blue Shield will also cover other smoking cessation treatment replacements. 

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover the Shingles Vaccine?

Most Blue Cross Blue Shield plans cover Zoster or Shingrix, both shingles vaccines, for individuals aged 60 years and older or 50 years and older, respectively.  

Shingrix is a vaccine that contains a component of the shingles virus. It’s given in two doses, with 2-6 months between doses. Because you have to repeat treatment, it is great that the cost is covered.

Why Choose Blue Cross Blue Shield for Health Coverage?

Blue Cross Blue Shield is a reliable provider that offers ample coverage. In fact, 91% of all national healthcare providers are a part of their network, which expands coverage significantly. You can have access to benefits anywhere, even when you travel with over 200 countries included. 

The company also offers innovative services, including coverage for telehealth and virtual care. They are always on the cutting edge in offering competitive services and rates.

BCBS also offers innovative features, including:

• Health management tools such as live chat, health and wellness products, online account management, and telehealth services.
• Health equity initiatives aim to help people feel better. They offer the Blue Distinction Specialty care program, high-quality doctors and patient care, and resources such as trauma-informed staff for support.
• Corporate and employee health solutions are available, including dental plans, disability plans, employee needs programs for specific situations and much more.

How to Enroll in Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance

Open enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15, 2025, for many people. To enroll in Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance, you will need to work through the comparison of all options – that can be tough. That’s why using the tools on this page can help you. You can talk to a licensed insurance agent for specific help, or you can get started comparing plans using our tools.