Our values set us apart
When you work with us, you work with a partner as committed as you are to setting your organization up for success. Our plans and services are built to meet the evolving needs of your diverse workforce, and we’re committed to changing the trajectory of health care for the better: better solutions, better value for your healthcare dollar, and a better experience for employees.
Blue Shield is a taxpaying nonprofit with a 2% income cap, which allows us to give back to community and customers—and empowers us to act differently. We do what’s best for you and your employees, not shareholders.
Our vision and values
Who are you doing business with?
The United States has a diverse population, with diverse healthcare needs, so we place a deep emphasis on workplace inclusivity. Employee diversity, a key business differentiator, has afforded us an ethical and unbiased viewpoint on the healthcare system, as well as provides a lens on creative problem-solving that we apply to all our client and member relationships.
Best Managed Companies
Deloitte
2024, 2023, 2022. 2020
The Civic 50
Points of Light
2024
Eyes on Innovation Award
Gartner
2024
Winning Stories of Innovation
Healthcare Innovation
2024
Top Mentoring Company
DiversityInc
2024
Top LGBTQ+ Employees
DiversityInc
2024
Top Regional Companies
DiversityInc
2024
Top Board of Directors
DiversityInc
2024
Top Native American Pacific Islander Executives
DiversityInc
2024
Top Women Executives
DiversityInc
2024
Top Latino Executives
DiversityInc
2024
Top Philanthropy
DiversityInc
2024
California headquarters. National coverage.
Health reimagined
Real change is systemic change
Changing a complex health system takes commitment—and Blue Shield is all in. We’re reimagining care to make it more accessible, more affordable, and simpler for everyone.
That includes building a modern health ecosystem that makes “anytime, anywhere” care not just possible but seamless. It means addressing rising costs; for instance, how payments move through the healthcare system or how we can help control the cost of prescription drugs. And it means a shift in focus to healthier outcomes for all.
Health care isn’t just a job to us—it’s our passion
When you partner with Blue Shield of California, you’ll be working with people who are passionate about delivering health plans and healthcare solutions that work for everybody.
Employee approval rating for CEO Paul Markovich on Glassdoor, 2021
Employees voting Blue Shield of California a great place to work via GPTW
“One of Blue Shield of California’s strategic pillars is to stand for what’s right,” said Venetia Marshall, vice president, chief risk, and compliance officer at Blue Shield of California. “That means ethical behavior is an integral part of our company’s DNA and we believe that will help us reach our vision of creating a healthcare system worthy of our family and friends.”
Recognized by Ethisphere for the 12th time (8th time in a row) as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® for 2024.
Advocating for a better health system
Blue Shield supports programs designed to drive down prescription costs, from a data-driven virtual pharmacy pilot to a Blue initiative to manufacture generics for consumers.
Promoting a health data network: We’re investing in initiatives that will help health data systems “talk to each other” so we can help reduce unnecessary and duplicative tests and procedures, which account for billions of dollars in wasted spending. Further, we want physicians treating people in the ER to have accurate patient information at their fingertips when they have to make fast, lifesaving decisions.
Tackling access and affordability: Blue Shield advocates with state and federal legislators to support transparency and affordable access to care, and that addresses health inequities.
Blue Shield of California Foundation
Blue Shield supports the Blue Shield of California Foundation, which operates independently but shares our values of health equity for all. The Foundation focuses on building healthier communities through a variety of initiatives with a primary focus on prevention and healing of domestic abuse.
Since its inception in 2004, Blue Shield has contributed more than $736M to its Foundation.
$17.8M and 70 grants in total awarded by the Foundation to health & domestic violence prevention programs in 2023.
The Blue Shield of California Foundation is an independent organization. Blue Shield of California Health Plan has no influence over grant-making decisions.
