Celebrating 50 Years of Blue Cross Coverage for Michigan Public School Retirees

Since 1975, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Michigan Public School Employees’ Retirement System have held a partnership providing health coverage to its members. Throughout 2025, we will be sharing some highlights of this 50-year journey. And we’ll look ahead with plans to meet members’ healthcare needs now and into the future.

Our retirement system members are a diverse group of former employees from Michigan school districts, community colleges and universities. When the Blue Cross medical plan was first offered in 1975, it was a traditional fully-insured plan with no coverage for dependents. Over time, the plan’s coverage and membership has expanded to the self-funded PPO plan today covering over 200,000 Michigan public school retiree members.

A lot has changed in the last five decades since we began our partnership with the retirement system, but our commitment to members’ health remains the same. Blue Cross is embracing new technologies and approaches to help members on their healthcare journey.

Your Blue Cross coverage provides a variety of benefits including access to enhanced preventive care, caregiver resources, health management programs, SilverSneakers^® and digital tools that expand where and when you use your benefits.

As we celebrate this significant anniversary, we're is committed to providing high-quality healthcare that supports your health and well-being for years to come. Stay tuned throughout the year as we commemorate 50 years of service.