BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is opening the company's first retail outlet in Mount Pleasant, S.C. BCBS of South Carolina will offer insurance for individuals as well as children's policies at the store.
The health insurer will also offer wellness seminars at the site, and customers will have access to a "wellness station" where they can check blood pressure, experience a chair massage and be offered refreshments.
"Our SC BlueStore is designed to provide a comfortable and informative space for a customer to discuss insurance," said David Pankau, division president of BlueCross BlueShield."Cutting through the confusing world of insurance terminology, we plan to provide clear and concise information to help them select the health insurance plan that is right for them. This will be a much more satisfying personal experience in a convenient retail setting."
Pankau said BCBS of South Carolina decided to open the store as the health insurance market becomes more consumer-driven. BlueCross recently rebranded its health insurance plans and added new, lower cost plans. The company's new brand is called "Blue Spectrum."
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The health plan and its family of companies include more than 20 subsidiaries involved in health insurance services, U.S. Department of Defense health plan and Medicare contracts and other insurance and benefits services.