The organization provides administrative, technical, and contact services for federal agencies. It serves as an administrative contractor, fiscal intermediary, and claims processor; it also safeguards payments, detects fraud, and provides customer service to health care providers. The organization serves 13 million beneficiaries, processing 220 million claims and paying $75 billion in benefits each year.

Palmetto GBA is part of Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina's government benefits administration division, which also includes PGBA, LLC (Tricare administration) and other subsidiaries.

Geographic Reach

Headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, the company has offices in the southeastern and midwestern US including locations in Georgia, Illinois, and Ohio.

Sales and Marketing

Palmetto GBA serves the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), as well as Medicare plan providers and beneficiaries.

Financial Performance

Palmetto GBA increased sales 33% to $329 million in 2012. Profits decreased 27% to $3.1 million, however, due to increased expenses and higher investment losses.

Strategy

Palmetto GBA is expanding through new customer contracts, as well as increased services to existing clients. It added a CMS contract in 2012 to add payment education and training programs, as well as additional customer service functions for drug and Medicare Advantage plans.

Company Background

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina became the state's Medicare contractor in 1996. Palmetto GBA was formed to administer benefits in 1998.