What is one of the main intentions of Blue Shield?

The main intention of Blue Shield is to cover physician services. This was established as part of a broader movement to provide financial protection for patients seeking medical care from physicians, distinguishing it from other types of health insurance. Originally created in the 1930s, Blue Shield plans aimed to ensure that individuals could access and afford care from doctors, specifically addressing the payment for physician services rather than hospital costs or other types of medical expenses.

Blue Shield was designed to complement existing hospital insurance programs by focusing specifically on outpatient physician visits, thereby filling a crucial gap in healthcare coverage at that time. This focus emphasizes the importance of primary and specialty care in the overall healthcare framework, making access to physician services more attainable for subscribers.