Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

We were the first “Blue” health plan

Our history began in 1933, when seven St. Paul hospitals teamed up to form the “Minnesota Hospital Association”, the nation’s first prepaid health care network. An early advertisement depicts a nurse with a blue cross on her sleeve. An iconic logo is born, and we become the first-ever health plan to use the “Blue Cross” name.

Less than a decade after we became the first Blue plan, the name and symbol are adopted by the national Blue Cross Association. “Blue Cross” goes on to become one of most recognized and trusted health care brands in the world.

We are the largest health plan in Minnesota

Today, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is the largest health plan in Minnesota, with more members, the largest network of providers, and more products and services than any other plan in our state.

Our 2.7 million members can be found in every Minnesota county, all 50 states and on four continents.

Approximately one in three Minnesotans has a Blue Cross membership card.