Blue Cross Blue Shield employer health plans in Maryland
Who Blue Cross Blue Shield insures among Maryland employers and what those plans pay in premium and broker compensation.
Blue Cross Blue Shield employer health plans in Maryland at a glance
What the data shows
Blue Cross Blue Shield is the largest insurer of employer health plans in Maryland: 250 plans held a Blue Cross Blue Shield major-medical contract in form year 2024, 31% of the state's 798 insured large plans, ahead of Cigna with 219.
Blue Cross Blue Shield has grown 23% in Maryland since 2020, from 204 plans.
Most of these plans cover 100–499 people (164 plans); 10 cover 1,000 or more.
Median premium per person covered was $7,806, 12% above the Maryland all-carrier median of $6,987. Benefit design and group mix differ, so this is not a price comparison.
84% of these plans reported broker or agent pay on their Blue Cross Blue Shield contracts; where paid, the median was 5.2% of premium (middle half 3.9%–6.3%).
Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in Maryland, 2020–2024
| Form year | Plans | Persons covered | Share of state | Median premium / person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 204 | 73,208 | 25% | $7,050 |
| 2021 | 206 | 77,284 | 27% | $6,929 |
| 2022 | 231 | 81,075 | 29% | $7,078 |
| 2023 | 225 | 82,566 | 28% | $7,099 |
| 2024 | 250 | 108,119 | 31% | $7,806 |
| 2025 (partial) | 132 | 93,404 | 30% | $7,604 |
Plan size
| Persons covered | Plans | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Under 100 | 57 | 23% |
| 100–499 | 164 | 66% |
| 500–999 | 18 | 7% |
| 1,000–4,999 | 8 | 3% |
| 5,000 or more | 2 | 1% |
Premiums and broker pay
| Measure | Blue Cross Blue Shield | All carriers, Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Median premium per person covered | $7,806 | $6,987 |
| Premium per person, middle half | $5,820–$10,711 | $4,341–$10,001 |
| Plans reporting broker or agent pay | 84% | 83% |
| Median broker pay, % of premium | 5.2% | 5.0% |
| Broker pay, middle half | 3.9%–6.3% | 3.6%–6.8% |
| Median broker pay per person covered | $368 | $331 |
Industries
Blue Cross Blue Shield's Maryland employer clients are concentrated in professional and technical services (72 plans) and health care and social assistance (46), followed by construction (21).
| Industry | Plans | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Professional and technical services | 72 | 29% |
| Health care and social assistance | 46 | 18% |
| Construction | 21 | 8% |
| Educational services | 14 | 6% |
| Finance and insurance | 13 | 5% |
| Information | 12 | 5% |
Blue Cross Blue Shield employer clients in Maryland
246 employers in Maryland have a Blue Cross Blue Shield major-medical contract, 10 of them covering 1,000 or more people. For each one Medlyze has the plan year, the broker on each contract and what that broker was paid, and compiles the list for a state, an industry or a single employer on request.
| Employer | Persons covered | Plan year ends | Broker | Broker pay, % of premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employer name | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked |
| Employer name | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked |
| Employer name | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked |
Brokers: request the Blue Cross Blue Shield Prospect List for Maryland →
Carriers in Maryland
| Carrier | Plans | Share | Median premium / person | Median broker % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | 250 | 31% | $7,806 | 5.2% |
| Cigna | 219 | 27% | $6,991 | 5.1% |
| UnitedHealthcare | 171 | 21% | $6,169 | 4.5% |
| Kaiser Permanente | 120 | 15% | $8,023 | 5.0% |
| Other insurers (regional and local plans) | 115 | 14% | $2,622 | 6.4% |
| Aetna | 50 | 6% | $6,987 | 4.2% |
| Anthem (Elevance Health) | 8 | 1% | $7,135 | 2.3% |
| Humana | 7 | 1% | $465 | 7.3% |
Blue Cross Blue Shield in other states
FAQ
How many Maryland employers have Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance?
250 employer health plans in Maryland reported a Blue Cross Blue Shield major-medical contract in their 2024 filings, covering 108,119 persons. Self-funded plans that Blue Cross Blue Shield only administers are not counted.
What is Blue Cross Blue Shield's share of the Maryland insured employer market?
31% of insured large employer health plans, 1st of 8 carrier groups by plan count.
How much do brokers earn on Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in Maryland?
Where broker or agent pay was reported, the median was 5.2% of premium (5.0% across all carriers in Maryland).
Can I see the figures for a specific employer?
Yes. Brokers can request an Employer Account Brief on one employer, or a Prospect List for this market. Employers can request a Plan Cost Benchmark for their own plan. Use the request form on this page.
About these numbers
- Plans counted: the 250 Maryland employer health plans with a Blue Cross Blue Shield major-medical contract in their 2024 filings. Self-funded plans that Blue Cross Blue Shield only administers are not counted here.
- Premium and broker figures: 229 contracts with 20+ persons covered and a reported premium; broker percentages use the 209 contracts that reported broker or agent pay.
- Full method and limits: how the employer health plan data is built.