Blue Cross Blue Shield employer health plans in Nebraska
Who Blue Cross Blue Shield insures among Nebraska employers and what those plans pay in premium and broker compensation, and what the Blue Cross Blue Shield network pays physicians and hospitals.
Blue Cross Blue Shield employer health plans in Nebraska at a glance
What the data shows
Blue Cross Blue Shield is the largest insurer of employer health plans in Nebraska: 67 plans held a Blue Cross Blue Shield major-medical contract in form year 2024, 38% of the state's 178 insured large plans, ahead of UnitedHealthcare with 43.
Blue Cross Blue Shield has shrunk 14% in Nebraska since 2020, from 78 plans, as insured plans moved carrier or to self-funding.
Most of these plans cover 100–499 people (42 plans); 8 cover 1,000 or more.
Median premium per person covered was $8,073, 8% above the Nebraska all-carrier median of $7,443. Benefit design and group mix differ, so this is not a price comparison.
75% of these plans reported broker or agent pay on their Blue Cross Blue Shield contracts; where paid, the median was 4.2% of premium (middle half 2.3%–5.6%).
In BCBS: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, 32 of the 50 Employer 50 services have a Nebraska benchmark, at a median of 167% of Medicare across those services.
At Nebraska hospitals, Blue Cross Blue Shield's commercial rates run higher than other carriers' at the same hospital for 11 of 14 services.
Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in Nebraska, 2020–2024
| Form year | Plans | Persons covered | Share of state | Median premium / person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 78 | 33,790 | 39% | $6,590 |
| 2021 | 81 | 36,159 | 41% | $6,310 |
| 2022 | 79 | 39,867 | 41% | $6,509 |
| 2023 | 67 | 28,444 | 36% | $7,220 |
| 2024 | 67 | 29,950 | 38% | $8,073 |
| 2025 (partial) | 47 | 19,717 | 32% | $8,351 |
Plan size
| Persons covered | Plans | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Under 100 | 10 | 15% |
| 100–499 | 42 | 63% |
| 500–999 | 7 | 10% |
| 1,000–4,999 | 8 | 12% |
| 5,000 or more | 0 | 0% |
Premiums and broker pay
| Measure | Blue Cross Blue Shield | All carriers, Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Median premium per person covered | $8,073 | $7,443 |
| Premium per person, middle half | $6,577–$9,708 | $4,931–$10,723 |
| Plans reporting broker or agent pay | 75% | 79% |
| Median broker pay, % of premium | 4.2% | 4.0% |
| Broker pay, middle half | 2.3%–5.6% | 2.5%–5.9% |
| Median broker pay per person covered | $283 | $276 |
Industries
Blue Cross Blue Shield's Nebraska employer clients are concentrated in health care and social assistance (8 plans) and manufacturing (7), followed by construction (6).
| Industry | Plans | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 8 | 12% |
| Manufacturing | 7 | 10% |
| Construction | 6 | 9% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 6 | 9% |
| Administrative and support services | 6 | 9% |
| Other services | 6 | 9% |
Blue Cross Blue Shield employer clients in Nebraska
67 employers in Nebraska have a Blue Cross Blue Shield major-medical contract, 8 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 Nebraska →
What the Blue Cross Blue Shield network pays physicians in Nebraska
| Service | Code | Median | Middle half | % of Medicare | Other networks, median | Provider groups |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic heart catheterization with coronary angiography | 93458 | $424 | $365–$458 | 148% | $449 | 24 |
| Echocardiogram, transthoracic complete with Doppler | 93306 | $107 | $92–$116 | 159% | $146 | 24 |
| Electrocardiogram (EKG), complete | 93000 | $22 | $19–$24 | 142% | $32 | 24 |
| Nuclear stress test (SPECT myocardial perfusion) | 78452 | $143 | $133–$145 | 192% | $154 | 24 |
| Treadmill stress test, complete | 93015 | $111 | $97–$122 | 152% | $144 | 24 |
| Skin biopsy, single lesion (tangential) | 11102 | $168 | $153–$168 | 176% | $240 | 22 |
| Cataract removal with lens implant | 66984 | $832 | $760–$1,331 | 180% | $1,303 | 35 |
| Abdominal ultrasound, complete | 76700 | $72 | $67–$74 | 192% | $69 | 42 |
| Bone density scan (DXA), axial | 77080 | $18 | $17–$18 | 190% | $17 | 42 |
| CT abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $162 | $152–$166 | 193% | $158 | 42 |
| CT chest without contrast | 71250 | $96 | $90–$98 | 195% | $98 | 42 |
| Chest X-ray, 2 views | 71046 | $20 | $18–$20 | 197% | $18 | 42 |
| MRI brain without and with contrast | 70553 | $204 | $190–$209 | 194% | $205 | 42 |
| MRI cervical spine without contrast | 72141 | $132 | $123–$135 | 194% | $133 | 42 |
| MRI knee (lower-extremity joint) without contrast | 73721 | $121 | $113–$124 | 193% | $120 | 42 |
Professional fee only: facility, implant and anesthesia charges are not included. Limited: rates come from a sample of providers, and groups are counted only in specialties that perform the service.
What the Blue Cross Blue Shield network pays hospitals in Nebraska
Blue Cross Blue Shield commercial rates are on record at 49 Nebraska hospitals (the hospitals covered so far, not every hospital). Compared at the same hospitals, Blue Cross Blue Shield's rate is higher than the other carriers' median for 11 of 14 services and lower for 2. For MRI, lower back, the rate runs from $219 to $3,530 across 17 hospitals.
This page shows 2 of the 14 services in full. The other rates, the size of each gap and every hospital's prices are in the Plan Cost Benchmark.
| Service | Hospitals | Median rate | Range (P10–P90) | vs other carriers, same hospitals | Cash price, median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI, lower back | 17 | $1,954 | $219–$3,530 | Higher | $3,399 |
| MRI, knee | 15 | Locked | Locked | Lower | Locked |
| CT, head | 17 | Locked | Locked | Higher | Locked |
| CT, abdomen and pelvis | 17 | Locked | Locked | Higher | Locked |
| Screening mammogram | 17 | Locked | Locked | About the same | Locked |
| Colonoscopy, diagnostic | 10 | Locked | Locked | Higher | Locked |
| Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy | 9 | Locked | Locked | Higher | Locked |
| Knee arthroscopy | 6 | Locked | Locked | Higher | Locked |
| Cataract surgery | 7 | Locked | Locked | Higher | Locked |
| Gallbladder removal, laparoscopic | 9 | Locked | Locked | Higher | Locked |
| Knee replacement, outpatient | 6 | Locked | Locked | Lower | Locked |
| Emergency visit, level 4 | 9 | $246 | $192–$846 | Higher | $383 |
| Comprehensive metabolic panel | 17 | Locked | Locked | Higher | Locked |
| Complete blood count | 17 | Locked | Locked | Higher | Locked |
Hospitals with the most published Blue Cross Blue Shield rates
| Hospital | Joint replacement | MRI lower back | CT abdomen | Colonoscopy | ER level 4 | Vaginal delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown County Hospital | – | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked |
| Chi Health Plainview | – | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked |
| Chi Health St. Mary's | – | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked |
| Great Plains Regional Medical Center | – | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked |
| Howard County Medical Center | – | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked |
| Nebraska Orthopaedic Hospital | $30,064 | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked |
| Regional West Medical Center | – | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked |
| Sidney Regional Medical Center | – | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked |
| Valley County Health System | – | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked |
| West Holt Memorial Hospital | – | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked | Locked |
How the contracts are written: case rates 5%, fee schedules 31%, per diem 0%, percent of billed charges 62%, other 3% of Blue Cross Blue Shield's published commercial rates for these services in Nebraska.
Employers: see all 14 services and every hospital near your people in a Plan Cost Benchmark →
Hospital facility rate only: physician, anesthesia and implant charges are separate. Rates are what hospitals publish, not claims paid, and are not weighted by use.
Carriers in Nebraska
| Carrier | Plans | Share | Median premium / person | Median broker % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | 67 | 38% | $8,073 | 4.2% |
| Other insurers (regional and local plans) | 47 | 26% | $9,905 | 4.0% |
| UnitedHealthcare | 43 | 24% | $5,774 | 3.6% |
| Aetna | 22 | 12% | $6,673 | 3.5% |
| Kaiser Permanente | 8 | 4% | $7,580 | 4.0% |
| Cigna | 4 | 2% | $183 | 8.7% |
| Anthem (Elevance Health) | 3 | 2% | $8,773 | 2.5% |
Blue Cross Blue Shield in other states
FAQ
How many Nebraska employers have Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance?
67 employer health plans in Nebraska reported a Blue Cross Blue Shield major-medical contract in their 2024 filings, covering 29,950 persons. Self-funded plans that Blue Cross Blue Shield only administers are not counted.
What is Blue Cross Blue Shield's share of the Nebraska insured employer market?
38% of insured large employer health plans, 1st of 7 carrier groups by plan count.
How much do brokers earn on Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in Nebraska?
Where broker or agent pay was reported, the median was 4.2% of premium (4.0% across all carriers in Nebraska).
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 67 Nebraska 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: 63 contracts with 20+ persons covered and a reported premium; broker percentages use the 49 contracts that reported broker or agent pay.
- Network rates: BCBS: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, professional fees only, from a sample of providers.
- Hospital prices: Blue Cross Blue Shield commercial rates at Nebraska hospitals; stay and facility prices only.
- Full method and limits: how the employer health plan data is built.