Sandy McFarland

BlueCross BlueShield is a big name in the in-plant world, with dozens of shops serving its many offices around the country. We spoke with several of them to find out why BCBS values its in-plants so much. By MIKE LLEWELLYN &012;If you were to look at a list of all the in-plants in the country, one name would pop up more than any other: BlueCross BlueShield. Because BCBS is not centrally operated, each "Blue Plan," as employees call the independent companies in the network, must produce its own marketing materials, explanations of benefits (EOBs), brochures and internal correspondence. Thus, many BCBS Blue Plans

The in-plant at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Colorado and Nevada used to be run by a facilities management firm. No more. The FM was kicked out, and now the in-plant is thriving. by BOB NEUBAUER Like most companies, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Colorado and Nevada looks for ways to cut unnecessary expenses. So when an outsourcing firm proposed taking over the insurance company's in-house printing and mailing operations in 1991—with promised efficiency increases and reduced costs—upper management took the bait. Two years later, with print quality plunging, costs soaring and service withering, the company made a bold but ultimately wise move. It