HCSC Timeline

1936 Incorporation of Hospital Service Corporation (Illinois Blue Cross Plan)

1937 First policy becomes effective

1939 Incorporation of Group Hospital Service, Inc. (Texas Blue Cross Plan)

1940 Incorporation of Hospital Services, Inc. (New Mexico Blue Cross Plan)

1940 Incorporation of Group Hospital Services of Oklahoma (Oklahoma Blue Cross Plan)

1944 Baylor Plan (nation’s first pre-paid hospital plan) merged into Texas Blue Cross Plan

1945 Incorporation of Group Medical and Surgical Service (Texas Blue Shield Plan)

1950 Incorporation of Illinois Medical Service Plan (Illinois Blue Shield Plan)

1966 Fort Dearborn Life Insurance established

1971 Pre-paid health care plan begun in Carbondale, Illinois (early HMO)

1972 Hospital Services, Inc. and Surgical Services, Inc. merge to form Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, Inc.

1973 Co-Care started in Chicago (predecessor of HMO Illinois)

1975 Hospital Service Corporation and Illinois Medical Service merge to form Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC)

1982 Rockford Plan merges with HCSC. HCSC becomes a mutual legal reserve company

1984 Group Hospital Service, Inc. renamed Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Inc.

1990 HCSC acquires Preferred Financial Corporation and its subsidiary, Colorado Bankers Life Insurance Company

1996 HCSC Data Center opens

1997 Dedication of new HCSC corporate headquarters at 300 East Randolph Street

1998 Merger with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

2001 Acquisition of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico

2002 HCSC enrolls eight millionth member

2004 HCSC enrolls its nine millionth member

2005 Merger with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma

HCSC Timeline
HCSC Firsts