Making Health Care as Affordable as Possible
We want you to feel confident that you can afford the high-quality health care you deserve. That's why we're working to slow the growth of rising costs and make care more accessible.
At Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, our strength lies in our commitment to the communities we serve. As a local nonprofit health plan, our mission is to ensure you have access to the care you need, when you need it. We do this through strong provider partnerships, innovative programs to improve affordability, and a relentless focus on you, our member.
Health is not just about an individual’s well-being; it’s about fostering healthier communities where everyone can thrive. We are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve while keeping health care as affordable as possible.
President and CEO
Understanding Affordability
Provider Contract Updates
Learn what we're doing to keep the providers you trust in our strong local and national network.
In- vs. Out-of-Network Care
Understand the difference between in-network and out-of-network care and how it impacts your health costs.
Health Insurance Premiums
Learn how health insurance premiums are calculated and what factors influence the rising cost of care.
Breaking Down What’s Driving Costs
Costs are increasing in all areas of our lives, from the grocery store to the gas pump. Health care is no exception. Locally, the cost of care is rising due to:
Care Complexity
More high-cost surgeries, transplants, and treatments at hospitals and other outpatient settings
Historic Reimbursement Increases
Providers asking for double-digit rate increases that are many times higher than historical rates
More Expensive Prescription Drugs
Steep increases in prescription drug costs, especially specialty drugs that treat complex and chronic health conditions
How We Use Your Premium Dollars
As a nonprofit health plan, we spent 93 cents of every premium dollar collected in 2023 on health care for you, our members. The rest was spent on taxes and fees and operating expenses.
Here’s the full breakdown: hospitals and doctors (69 cents); prescription medications (14 cents); emergency room visits/professional services such as labs and ambulance services (6 cents); other medical costs (4 cents).
How We’re Making Health Care More Affordable
Every day we work to find new ways to improve your health and to make care as accessible and affordable as possible.