You’re looking for the BCBS stock price today because you likely have a 401(k) to manage or you're trying to gauge the health of the insurance sector.
Here is the thing. If you type "BCBS" into a trading app, you’ll probably get a "no results found" error.
That’s because Blue Cross Blue Shield isn’t actually a single company. It is a massive federation of 33 independent, locally operated companies. Most of them are private or non-profit mutuals. They don't have a ticker symbol. They don't have a price per share on the NYSE.
But—and this is a big "but"—if you want to trade the "Blues," you basically look at Elevance Health (ELV).
The Real Numbers for Elevance Health (ELV) Today
Since Elevance is the largest for-profit member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, it is the de facto proxy for the brand on Wall Street.
As of Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the Elevance Health (ELV) stock price is sitting at $373.03.
Honestly, the morning was a bit of a climb. It opened at $372.00 and hit a high of $375.00 before settling into its current position. It’s up about 0.66% from yesterday’s close of $370.57. Not a moonshot, but a steady move in a sector that’s been dealing with a lot of regulatory noise lately.
- Ticker: ELV (NYSE)
- 52-Week High: $458.75
- 52-Week Low: $273.71
- Market Cap: Roughly $82.38 Billion
If you’re comparing this to the rest of the pack, Centene (CNC) is currently trading at $46.02, up about half a percent. The vibe in the health insurance market today is "cautiously optimistic."
Why Can’t You Just Buy "Blue Cross" Stock?
It’s confusing. You see the logo everywhere. You've probably had their card in your wallet at some point.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national federation. Think of it like a franchise system, but for insurance. Each "Blue" owns the rights to use the name in a specific state.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan? That’s a non-profit mutual. No stock.
Arkansas Blue Cross? Also not-for-profit. Owned by the policyholders.
Then you have the heavy hitters. Elevance Health used to be called Anthem. They rebranded because they wanted to show they do more than just insurance, but they still operate Blue Cross plans in 14 states (and they're working on Louisiana). When people talk about the BCBS stock price today, they are almost always talking about ELV.
The Rebrand Confusion
A lot of investors still have "Anthem" stuck in their heads. If you look up the old ticker ANTM, it’ll redirect you to ELV. It’s been that way for a couple of years now, but old habits die hard in the financial world.
What is Actually Driving the Price Right Now?
Healthcare stocks are weird. They don't always follow the "good news is good news" logic of tech stocks.
Right now, the market is obsessed with Medical Loss Ratios (MLR). Basically, investors are staring at how much money these companies are spending on actual medical care versus how much they’re keeping as profit. If people go to the doctor more—maybe because of a bad flu season or delayed surgeries—the stock takes a hit.
There is also the "Medicare Advantage" factor. The government has been tightening the belt on how much they pay private insurers to run Medicare plans. Since Elevance and its peers have huge chunks of their business tied to these government contracts, any hint of a rate cut sends the stock into a tailspin.
Surprising Nuance: The "Non-Insurance" Revenue
Elevance isn’t just an insurance company anymore. They have a brand called Carelon. It handles pharmacy benefits, behavioral health, and data analytics.
Why does this matter for the stock?
Because services revenue is often more "stable" than insurance revenue. If the insurance side has a bad year because of high claims, the services side can act as a shock absorber. It's why the stock has stayed relatively resilient despite the 52-week low we saw back in August of last year.
Is This a Good Buy Today?
I'm not a financial advisor, and you definitely shouldn't bet your house on a blog post. But here is the professional consensus:
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The P/E ratio for Elevance is currently around 15.34. In plain English, that’s relatively cheap compared to the broader S&P 500. It's a "value" play. You aren't buying this for 20% gains in a week. You’re buying it because they have 32 million members and an almost "un-disruptable" moat in several states.
| Factor | Status | Impact on Stock |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 1.85% | Good for income seekers, keeps the floor steady. |
| Membership Growth | Increasing | Acquiring BCBS Louisiana adds nearly 2 million members. |
| Political Risk | High | 2026 is an election cycle year; healthcare is always a target. |
| Cash Flow | Strong | They have the cash to buy back shares and keep the price afloat. |
Actionable Insights for Investors
If you’re watching the BCBS stock price today, stop looking for a ticker that doesn't exist. Instead, add ELV to your watchlist.
Watch the quarterly earnings calls specifically for "utilization trends." If Elevance mentions that seniors are going to the hospital more than expected, expect the stock to dip. That’s usually when the "smart money" starts looking for an entry point.
Also, keep an eye on the Anthem Biosciences (ANTHEM) ticker if you're in international markets. It’s a totally different company based in India. Don't mix them up. I've seen people lose money by accidentally buying a lab-testing firm in Bangalore when they meant to buy a US health insurer.
Monitor the spread between Elevance and UnitedHealth (UNH). Historically, they move in tandem. If UNH is up 2% and ELV is flat, there might be a "catch-up" trade opportunity, assuming there isn't some company-specific bad news lurking in a SEC filing.
Bottom line: The "Blues" are a massive part of the US economy, even if they aren't a single stock. Stick with ELV if you want to play the brand, and pay attention to the Medicare reimbursement rates coming out of Washington. That's the real driver of your portfolio's health.
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Next Step for You: Check the latest SEC 8-K filings for Elevance Health to see if there have been any recent updates on the Louisiana acquisition. It’s a major catalyst for their 2026 growth projections.