Blue Cross (MI) Reviews

Pros

Company has offered good benefit package and fair pay.

Cons

Too many computer application systems. Limited jobs in satellite offices.

Pros

Benefits, esp. health coverage is superb. Paid Time off is competitive. 401K and pension contributions are very good. Very competitive.

Cons

Becoming top heavy, autocratic and cliquish. Middle management is tactical, not strategic. Top management's solution is to hire more middle managers externally.

Advice to Senior Management

Cut down layers of management, and keep close watch on the externally hired new directors. Hire more people to do work, cross train and develop them.

Pros

Employees are supportive, Healthy work environment

Cons

Not so competitive salary given

Pros

Fabulous co-workers that encourage each other to succeed. Employees work hard to meet the deadlines and the realtime demands of the health insurance industry. You feel like your job makes a difference in peoples lives.

Cons

In particular departments (not reflective of the whole compay) the stress is almost unbarable. Unrealistic expectations, extremely poor communication between management and employees. At times it was as if "mind-reading" was a prerequisite for success. Work late hours and weekends to meet many of the unrealistic demands, with little appreciation shown by senior management.

Advice to Senior Management

Listen, Listen, Listen to your employees. They are in the "trenches" and can provide valuable feedback and suggestions for opportunities for improvement. If you higher people to do a job, provide them with the proper tools necessary to do the job, then try trusting them to do the job. Improve communication skills.

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

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

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

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

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)