Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a federation of 35 separate health insurance organizations and companies in the United States, providing health insurance to over 106 million Americans. The BCBS Association, based in Chicago, coordinates various strategies, policies, and services to ensure consistency across its member organizations. BCBS was founded in 1929, and since then, it has grown to be one of the largest insurance providers in the country, known for its network coverage and comprehensive health plans, which include individual and family plans, employer-based policies, and government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Its parent company is the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.