Blue Cross (MI) Reviews in Detroit, MI Area

Pros

Great benefits, including pension plan (which is portable), matching 401k, generous short-term and long-term disability, generous life-insurance, dental, vision, medical benefits and time off. Market share is still good and financial performance is great considering the economic climate in Michigan.

Cons

Changes take a long time. Innovative projects take a back seat due to state and federal mandates and Blue Cross Association mandates. Moving projects forward involves navigating through a political climate. Union employees can make life miserable by filing unwarranted grievances which take an inordinate amount of management time and then is dismissed due to lack of merit.

Advice to Senior Management

Although BCBSM has made great strides in removing ineffective employees, there is still a long way to go.

Pros

Better benefits than commercial insurers, multiple locations for potential transfer, market leader, no air travel required for those in sales.

Cons

Rampant nepotism, glass ceiling for women, arrogance in the market place, business myopia and tunnel vision, promotion of African-Americans who aren't ready or qualified, disproportionate number of women in middle management, insane union workplace rules, lack of communication throughout the organization, lack of shared vision from CEO, CEO hasn't a clue on leadership or teamwork, and all too political.

Advice to Senior Management

Delegate some authority downstream, empower people to make good customer based decisions, replace the CEO with a leader who has a vision he can articulate. Relax some union work rules. Improve the training outrside people receive, especially Account Executives and Sales Consultants. Eliminate the reverse racial discrimination and nepotism.

Pros

pay and benefits are good

Cons

No work-life balance, the environment is extremely political, diversity is talked about but not practiced (complaints to outside organizations are common), senior leadership leaves a lot to be desired (they manage by intimidation and fear)

Pros

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan really does conduct its business in a way that balances the success of the organization with the health and economic well-being of the people of Michigan. It is a company that takes a leadership role in making health insurance and the entire health care system work in our state. I feel like I am doing important work and making a positive impact every day. There are great people all over the company at every level. I feel connected with co-workers and to a large extent, even senior leaders around corporate goals and even what we do every day at the business unit level.

Cons

Highly regulated by the state and highly politicized organization. Historically archaic in operating systems and business processes, the company is fighting to get beyond that but many road blocks still remain. Like many businesses, Blue Cross has focused intensely on leaning out over the course of the past 3-4 years. As a result, while business results are being achieved and people are performing at much higher levels, the workforce is significantly smaller and the work loads are generally anywhere from 30 to 300% greater per person. Meanwhile compensation has barely moved so there's people doing Superman work and getting paid like Clark Kent.

Advice to Senior Management

Pay, reward and recognize high-performing employees better.

Pros

The benefits package is great...

Cons

Not enough teamwork. Upper management doesn't give enough coaching and mentoring to new supervisors

Advice to Senior Management

Really concentrate on educating and coaching the supervisors

Pros

GREAT benefits, great hours, career advancement opportunities are pretty good. Promotions happen pretty fast too

Cons

it's like high school, all over again.. whispering, starting rumors, DRAMA

Pros

The staff at BCBSM was so wonderful and made me feel comfortable and a part of the team. For only being an intern, I definitely felt like I was able to contribute to the company.

Cons

Their internship program was very well designed, however there were times when I did not have enough work to do.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep up what you are doing. You make interns feel so comfortable at your company, I would recommend your program to anyone.

Pros

Benefits package is excellent. Compensation is commensurate with salaries in the area.

Cons

No career advancement. A silo approach when working.

Pros

Job stability, Excellent opportunities, Good research projects, Good healthcare intervention programs, Good flexibility for working hours in R&D department, Good cohesion between co-workers, and excellent benefits.

Cons

Promotions are not based on merits, no incentives or appreciation for good work, and managers may less attention to junior analyst due to lack of time.

Advice to Senior Management

Please take merits and good work into consideration while promoting a person. Provide more information on bonus program rather than just stating the range. Also, state what are the criteria for performance review.

Pros

Benefits are very good; premiums are acceptable even though they have increased greatly over the past several years. Senior mgmt has tried to make an example of its employees to its members by increasing employee benefit premiums.

Cons

Most of management operates by "old school" principles of using scare tactics, intimidation, bullying, and even downright harrassment toward employees. Many lower and mid-level management members are relatives or friends of senior management, and they have survived numerous staff cutbacks even though their performance and ratings are low. Staff cutbacks are based on popularity contests and fears of older employees filing age-discrimination lawsuits rather than by performance guidelines.

Advice to Senior Management

Take the bull by the horns and clean house starting at the top and working down. Make staff reductions according to performance and education levels.