The health care industry continues to evolve rapidly, and Highmark leads at every turn. We're invested in creating affordable solutions that meet and exceed member expectations for personalized care.
In 2025, Highmark continued to adapt to the realities of the health care market with growth where customers need us most. Learn how we expanded access, improved outcomes, and strengthened the businesses and communities we serve.
Transformation is a hallmark of Highmark's approach to serving our customers. We've grown from a traditional regional insurer to become a $32.7 billion national enterprise positively impactingmillions of lives.
Highmark works with other health organizations across the nation to enhance the customer and member experience. Our affiliations include collaborations with 23 health plan organizations, collectively serving more than 26 million people nationwide.
"We're continuing to make investments that ultimately pay off for our customers," says Deborah Rice-Johnson, CEO of Diversified Businesses for Highmark Inc. and chief growth officer. "We acknowledge the cost pressures and realities of today's health care industry."
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) is affiliating with Highmark (subject to finalization). Blue KC is the leadinglocal not-for-profit health insurer in the Kansas City, Missouri, region.
"When we affiliate with another organization, we understand the importance of the local connection," says Rice-Johnson. "We invest in the employees and the entire community, including area providers. We are thrilled to affiliate with Blue KC to create remarkable health experiences and unlock new opportunities."
An informed approach has helped create successful affiliations and mergers for Highmark over the years. We value the legacy of Blue KC and commit to investing in initiatives that support local and regional needs. Just like we have with our affiliations in Delaware, New York, West Virginia, and across our home state of Pennsylvania.
Blue KC will retain its local leadership, while gaining access to new technology and resources. The affiliation will provide greater capabilities for member care, positive health outcomes, charitable giving, community outreach, and whole-person health.
The depth and breadth of our capabilities allow for personalization across a particular workforce, down to the individual. "Highmark can take the data and show what’s working for your employees, what's worth investing in," states Rice-Johnson. "We can deliver real-world outcomes that help create ahealthier, more productive workplace for everyone."
Highmark offers mental well-being, joint health, diabetes management, and other condition-specific digital health programs. We can push targeted health messages to members whose data indicates a chronic concern.
Members can engage with our mind and body programs online, anytime. People are empowered to make progress and see their own measures improve. "Everything we do is driven by our 360-degree Living Health strategy," continues Rice-Johnson.
This strategy aligns patients and care throughout the Highmark ecosystem including health education, preventive care, integrated pharmacy, and even clinical trials. Living Health is about improving the health of our members — and communities — with simplified, proactive, and personalized experiences.
"To deliver on Living Health, Highmark builds better insurance products that offer superior outcomes," stresses Rice-Johnson. "We have redesigned the care delivery system with deep payer-provider partnerships and shared data and cost structures."
The Highmark system of care — predicated by Living Health — also includes a profound commitment to community health access. Some of the ways that we invested in our local markets in 2025 were:
Heritage Valley Health System (HVHS) is joining AlleghenyHealth Network (AHN), ensuring continued access to high-quality health care.
The addition of Heritage Valley Beaver and Heritage Valley Sewickley hospitals will expand AHN's footprint. AHN is an in-network provider for Highmark Health. HVHS employees, patients, and providers will all benefit from strategic, long-term investments in IT, facilities, and expanded clinical capabilities.
Highmark and The Highmark Foundation give across our entire footprint to provide for basic needs and help heal the whole person. In 2025 alone, we dedicated about $819 million to charitable and uncompensated care aswell as corporate and foundation giving.
Community Health and Economic Resilience initiatives are housed under Bright Blue Futures, Highmark's expansive grant and sponsorship program. Initiatives include veterans' health and employment, disability access, maternal/child health, affordable housing, public health equity, and food and nutrition.
"Our work acknowledges today's health challenges, for communities and employers alike," concludes Rice-Johnson. "Health care costs, in particular, are one of the top issues for our customers and their employees. Highmark will continue to make investments in andadvancements on affordability and access to personalized whole-person care."
Learn more about how Highmark can help your company, employees, and/or community. Contact your Highmark account manager or employee health insurance broker or consultant today.
All references to “Highmark” in this communication are references to Highmark Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and/or to one or more of its affiliated Blue companies.
