Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the only licensed Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan in New Jersey, provides health insurance coverage to more than 3.8 million people throughout all of North, Central, and South Jersey. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is best known for our managed care and traditional indemnity plans for individuals and employers — the cornerstone of our health care business. Horizon BCBSNJ traces its history back to 1932 when Associated Hospitals of Essex County, Inc. was formed as a multi-hospital prepayment plan. The company later became the nation's first Blue Cross Plan. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, is a not-for-profit, health service corporation. A 15-member Board of Directors governs the company for its members. There are no shareholders.