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Historical Highlights — 1940s
1940
Michigan Medical Service begins with a $10,000 loan from the Michigan State Medical Society and opens for business in office space provided by the Michigan Society for Group Hospitalization.
Physicians accept reimbursement as full payment for members with family incomes not exceeding $2,500 per year. This applies to approximately 90 percent of the members. The remaining 10 percent could be charged slightly higher fees, the differences to be paid by the subscriber.
On its first anniversary, the Michigan Society for Group Hospitalization announces enrollment of 175,000 subscribers from 350 employee groups including:
- Michigan Consolidated Gas Company
- Detroit Bank
- Detroit Trust Company
- Federal Reserve Bank
- Socony-Vacuum Oil Company
- Parke Davis Company
- Federal Mogul Corporation
Ford Motor Company soon joined the group.
The Pine Grove Grange in Chippewa County becomes the first rural and association group to join the plan.
The Michigan Society for Group Hospitalization changes its name to Michigan Hospital Service.
Michigan Hospital Service begins using the Blue Cross symbol with the seal of the American Hospital Association superimposed. The Blue Cross symbol was first used by a hospital-sponsored prepayment plan in St. Paul, Minn.
1942
The Blue Cross symbol begins to appear on Michigan Hospital Service stationery. The terms "Blue Cross subscriber," "Blue Cross patient" and "Blue Cross plan" are commonly used. "The Blue Cross emblem of approval of the American Hospital Association," appears regularly on Michigan Hospital Service promotional literature.
1945
Michigan Blue Cross and Michigan Blue Shield begins first community enrollment program and signs up 134 subscribers with pilot effort in Niles, Mich.
