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Blue Cross Founded
Blue Cross is founded to cover hospital costs -
Blue Shield is Founded
Originally created to cover physician costs. -
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Transition to Employer Based Insurance Plans
During World War II wage freezes were put into place and insurance started to migrate to emlpoyer based policies. -
Creation of Medicare and Medicaid
Health insurance for the poor and elderly is implemented. -
Era of Prospective Payment
Moving from a fee for service mode of payment in hospitals to a prospective payment program which shifted more financial risk to the hospitals. -
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Decade of Managed Care
The strict Health Maintenance Organizations of the 70's and the 80's transition into Prefered Provider Organizations that allow patients to see their own doctors and not have to go through a primary care physician to see a specialist. -
Medicare Part D Added
Part D is added to Medicare to prevent citizens from falling into bankruptcy from paying for their medications. -
Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
The Affordable Care Act is signed into law.