Mission Report 2024
CEO Perspective
In 2024, the U.S. healthcare industry faced sizable financial pressures and the highest costs for care increases in more than a decade. These challenges, coupled with the complexity of the healthcare system, have made it increasingly difficult for Californians to navigate and afford essential healthcare services. This situation underscores the importance of Blue Shield of California’s mission to ensure all Californians have access to high-quality health care at an affordable price.
Blue Shield has a long history of facing the toughest healthcare challenges head on, and 2024 was no exception. By staying focused on improving our member experience, while tackling affordability and advancing our strategic initiatives, we have a lot to be proud of.
Last year we began implementing our Pharmacy Care Reimagined initiative — the first-of-its-kind pharmacy care model that makes the cost of medications clear, accessible and much more predictable for members.
We announced our Prior Authorization initiative in 2024 and continue to build capabilities to provide physicians and patients with prior authorization answers in near real-time, rather than days. We added more providers to our value-based care model, emphasizing proactive approaches and preventive care to focus on our members’ health and well-being. And, we introduced Member Health Record, a new digital resource that allows members to easily view health reminders, past doctor visits and medications, as well as download and share health records — all in one place.
We’re growing to serve more members than ever before. Through our relationship with TriWest Healthcare Alliance, we are now honored to provide access to our provider network for more than 750,000 active-duty military personnel and their families living in California. Blue Shield of California was also selected by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) in 2024 to administer its Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) offering. We now serve 6 million members, including more than 570,000 CalPERS state employees, retirees and their families.
I am incredibly honored to lead this organization, and I’m excited for the year ahead. Our values of human, honest and courageous are more important than ever, and will continue to guide how we show up for our employees, members and local communities.
Mike Stuart
Interim President and
Chief Executive Officer
