User:MaryGaulke/sandbox/Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City mockup

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and a not-for-profit health insurance provider with more than one million members. Founded in 1938, Blue KC offers healthcare, dental, life insurance and Medicare coverage. Headquartered in Kansas City, the company serves 30 counties in northwest Missouri as well as Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas.

History
Originally named Blue Cross of Kansas City, the health insurance provider was established in 1938. Kansas City Blue Shield was formed in 1943. In 1982, the Kansas City Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans merged, creating Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City.

In July 2009, Blue KC was the first company in the country to earn the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Wellness & Health Promotion (WHP) Accreditation for its "A Healthier You" initiative.

From 2014 to 2018, Blue KC participated in the Affordable Care Act exchange. The company decided to pull out of the exchange in 2017 after reporting a $100 million loss. In 2015, the company created the Blue KC Exchange, a private insurance exchange marketplace for small businesses. Danette Wilson became the Blue KC's first female CEO in 2015. When she retired in 2019, Erin Stucky, a 25-year veteran of the company, succeeded her in the role.

Spira Care
In November 2017, Blue KC launched Spira Care, a plan that combines primary care and health insurance. Spira Care centers offer primary care services to eligible Blue KC members for no or low additional cost. Initially, two care centers opened; three more followed. The centers also offer basic lab, radiology, behavioral health, and prescription services.