Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Reports 2020 Financial Results

EAGAN, Minn. (April 1, 2021) – The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) family of companies today announced audited financial results for 2020. The organization reported operating income of $128 million on $13.2 billion in total revenue, for an operating margin of less than one percent. A pre-tax net income of $244 million was largely driven by the recovery of federal government payments owed through an Affordable Care Act (ACA) program designed to offset health plan operating losses. Audited results for 2020 include the consolidated financial statements for businesses operating under Aware Integrated, Inc. (AII), a nonprofit corporation and parent organization.

For 2020, AII paid out $11.5 billion in medical claim payments, which represents approximately 87 cents of every premium dollar going directly to cover members’ health care costs. Additionally, the organization paid more than $133 million in taxes, assessments and surcharges. Total member enrollment for the year ended at approximately 2.8 million.

“Our focus throughout this past year was steadfast on doing what is best for our members’ health and wellbeing through the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jay Matushak, senior vice president and chief financial officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. “Under such unprecedented circumstances, we were able to remain financially strong and stable; advance our strategic imperatives; and make critical investments throughout the state in support of our valued community partners.”

To help stabilize heath plan coverage and access to needed medical care during the public health crisis and economic downturn, Blue Cross dedicated more than $150 million in premium relief credits, premium rebates and accelerated payments directed at members, employers and health care providers. 
 
Social Impact in 2020

In addition to financial relief efforts focused on the health care system, Blue Cross provided another $14.8 million in community investments to support food access, housing security, and other factors that affect health outside of a hospital or clinic setting. 

With the coronavirus disproportionately affecting Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation set up a COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund, awarding grants to 62 community-based organizations. Additionally, Blue Cross associates dedicated 15,000 hours volunteering as contact tracers for the Minnesota Department of Health.

Blue Cross also deployed community health workers in Ramsey, Dakota and Hennepin counties to bridge cultural and language barriers, with approximately 14,000 members receiving critical information related to COVID-19 in Spanish, Hmong, Somali, and Karen. 

Given the significant influence that stable housing has on health and the ability to access needed care, Blue Cross developed a housing flex fund to support county- and community-led housing stability efforts. Funding distributions in 2020 totaled $400,000 to community partners throughout the state.

To help address challenges in rural communities, Blue Cross provided funding to the Arrowhead Health Alliance (AHA) Telepresence Coalition, a collaboration between the Health and Human Services agencies of Carlton, Cook, Lake, Koochiching, and St. Louis Counties in northeastern Minnesota.

Financial results for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota 

The lines of business served by Blue Cross in 2020 include small and large employer plans and a suite of Medicare offerings – Medicare Advantage, Platinum Blue^SM (Medicare Cost); and MedicareBlue^SM Rx (Medicare Part D). Collectively, Blue Cross reported overall operating income of $171 million. 

In 2020, Blue Cross received $249 million through the ACA’s temporary risk corridor program that was designed to stabilize health insurance premiums for the first three years (2014 – 2016) of the new ACA market exchanges. For those years, Blue Cross reported losses totaling more than $500 million.

Financial results for Blue Plus

Blue Plus is a health maintenance organization (HMO) serving the individual market as well as the Prepaid Medical Assistance Program (PMAP), the state Medicaid program, and MinnesotaCare, the health program for low-income families. Blue Plus reported operating income of $12 million, primarily driven by increased enrollment in public programs; an overall decrease in utilization of covered care; and COVID-19-related adjustments to the administration of public programs under peacetime emergency authority orders aimed at preserving health care coverage. Blue Plus provided $10.5 million back to the state after receiving $11.3 million owed through the ACA’s temporary risk corridor program.

Additional accomplishments and milestones in 2020

• 60,000 Medicare members at high-risk for COVID-19 complications being contacted by Blue Cross case managers to answer questions and make connections to helpful resources
• A five-year value-based care contract between Blue Cross and Allina Health, which reimagines the traditional construct between provider and payer while supporting care models that aim to improve individual and community health
• 200,000 members receiving expanded access to mental health support through Learn to Live online programming
• 80,000 masks made by volunteers through Blue Cross’ statewide mask-making campaign to donate to health care providers and community nonprofits to protect against COVID-19 
• 30,223 hours of time, energy and expertise being volunteered by Blue Cross associates 
• 200,000 members receiving expanded access to mental health support through Learn to Live online programming
• A perfect score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index and being named one of the “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
• 4.5 Stars out of five Stars were awarded to three Blue Cross Medicare plans for an overall Star Rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This 2021 Star Rating was awarded to its Medicare Advantage plan, SecureBlueSM (HMO SNP) Minnesota Senior Health Options plan and MedicareBlue Rx Part D plan. The Platinum BlueSM Cost plan was awarded a 4-Star rating.

Additional details can be found at Bluecrossmn.com/socialimpact.

AII serves as the holding company for all affiliates and subsidiaries, including the following regulated businesses associated with Blue Cross:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota – A nonprofit health services company and independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Blue Plus – A nonprofit HMO and independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association that offers health plans and contracted provider networks throughout Minnesota to individuals and local, state and national groups. 

MII Life Insurance, Inc., d/b/a Further^SM (formerly SelectAccount^®) – An independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association that serves as a third-party administrator of medical spending accounts included in consumer-directed health plans throughout the country. 

Blue Cross provides all information, reports and audited details as required by the State of Minnesota for both commercial and public program products. Detailed financial statements for the organization’s regulated businesses are filed with the Minnesota Department of Commerce.