Blue Cross - Blue Shield
Abstract
Prepayment PlansBlue Cross - Blue Shield SAGE Publications, Inc.1959DOI: 10.1177/107755875901600504 Blue Cross Provisions for Persons Aged 65 and Over, Late 1958 Agnes W. Brewster and Ruth Bloodgood, "Blue Cross Provi- , sions for Persons Aged 65 and Over, Late 1958," U. S. Social Security Administration Division of Program Research Note . No. 5, March 12 1959 ~ "An estimated 6 million persons aged 65 and over - some 40 percent of the population in this age group - have hospitalization insurance. The Blue Cross plans estimate their enrolment includes about 3.5 million persons who have passed the 65th milestone. Approximately 400,000 aged are enrolled in independent plans. The balance, and in addition some persons who are also members of Blue Cross or independent plans, have insurance company policies. At least 2 million aged have insurance company policies only. "As the major source of prepaid protection against the costs of hospital care among the population aged 65 and over, Blue Cross membership has been derived by older people in one of four ways, listed in the order of their numerical importance: (1) 'Left-employ' (i.e., 'left-group' or 'group conversion') contracts; (2) Nongroup contracts; (3) Group contracts where the 65 year