Blue Cross Blue Shield employer health plans in South Dakota
Who Blue Cross Blue Shield insures among South Dakota employers and what those plans pay in premium and broker compensation.
Blue Cross Blue Shield employer health plans in South Dakota at a glance
What the data shows
Blue Cross Blue Shield is the largest insurer of employer health plans in South Dakota: 70 plans held a Blue Cross Blue Shield major-medical contract in form year 2024, 61% of the state's 115 insured large plans, ahead of Cigna with 4.
Blue Cross Blue Shield has shrunk 5% in South Dakota since 2020, from 74 plans, as insured plans moved carrier or to self-funding.
Most of these plans cover 100–499 people (49 plans); 2 cover 1,000 or more.
Median premium per person covered was $11,778, 24% above the South Dakota all-carrier median of $9,478. Benefit design and group mix differ, so this is not a price comparison.
23% of these plans reported broker or agent pay on their Blue Cross Blue Shield contracts; where paid, the median was 1.5% of premium (middle half 0.8%–2.4%).
Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in South Dakota, 2020–2024
| Form year | Plans | Persons covered | Share of state | Median premium / person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 74 | 22,067 | 49% | $9,863 |
| 2021 | 59 | 18,327 | 51% | $10,644 |
| 2022 | 67 | 21,265 | 57% | $10,378 |
| 2023 | 73 | 19,725 | 57% | $11,407 |
| 2024 | 70 | 19,395 | 61% | $11,778 |
| 2025 (partial) | 61 | 17,990 | 64% | $12,514 |
Plan size
| Persons covered | Plans | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Under 100 | 14 | 20% |
| 100–499 | 49 | 70% |
| 500–999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1,000–4,999 | 2 | 3% |
| 5,000 or more | 0 | 0% |
Premiums and broker pay
| Measure | Blue Cross Blue Shield | All carriers, South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Median premium per person covered | $11,778 | $9,478 |
| Premium per person, middle half | $9,523–$14,648 | $5,768–$12,581 |
| Plans reporting broker or agent pay | 23% | 45% |
| Median broker pay, % of premium | 1.5% | 1.8% |
| Broker pay, middle half | 0.8%–2.4% | 1.3%–3.6% |
| Median broker pay per person covered | $208 | $101 |
Industries
Blue Cross Blue Shield's South Dakota employer clients are concentrated in health care and social assistance (17 plans) and manufacturing (11), followed by wholesale trade (10).
| Industry | Plans | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 17 | 24% |
| Manufacturing | 11 | 16% |
| Wholesale trade | 10 | 14% |
| Retail trade | 7 | 10% |
| Professional and technical services | 3 | 4% |
| Finance and insurance | 3 | 4% |
Blue Cross Blue Shield employer clients in South Dakota
65 employers in South Dakota have a Blue Cross Blue Shield major-medical contract, 2 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 South Dakota →
Carriers in South Dakota
| Carrier | Plans | Share | Median premium / person | Median broker % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | 70 | 61% | $11,778 | 1.5% |
| Other insurers (regional and local plans) | 42 | 37% | $5,766 | 1.6% |
| Cigna | 4 | 3% | $708 | 6.9% |
| UnitedHealthcare | 3 | 3% | $9,874 | 4.8% |
Blue Cross Blue Shield in other states
FAQ
How many South Dakota employers have Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance?
70 employer health plans in South Dakota reported a Blue Cross Blue Shield major-medical contract in their 2024 filings, covering 19,395 persons. Self-funded plans that Blue Cross Blue Shield only administers are not counted.
What is Blue Cross Blue Shield's share of the South Dakota insured employer market?
61% of insured large employer health plans, 1st of 4 carrier groups by plan count.
How much do brokers earn on Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in South Dakota?
Where broker or agent pay was reported, the median was 1.5% of premium (1.8% across all carriers in South Dakota).
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 70 South Dakota 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: 68 contracts with 20+ persons covered and a reported premium; broker percentages use the 16 contracts that reported broker or agent pay.
- Full method and limits: how the employer health plan data is built.