Regence BlueCross pays out record $100 billion

The 41 BlueCross BlueShield companies in the United States paid out a record $100 billion in medical claims during the first half of 2004.

The BlueCross BlueShield Association, representing independent BlueCross BlueShield companies, also said Thursday that medical claims payments increased from $91.3 billion over the same period in 2003.

Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah reported increases in claims expense, paying out $474 million through the first half of 2004, up $30 million from year-to-date projections.

BCBSA also said systemwide enrollment reached a record, growing for the 10th straight year to 91 million members at the end of the second quarter, up from 88.8 million a year earlier.