The national non-profit organization to which the 70 Blue Cross plans in the United States voluntarily belong. BCA administers programs of licensure and approval for Blue Cross plans, provides specific services related to the writing and administering of health care benefits across the country, and represents the Blue Cross plans in national affairs. Under contract with the Social Security Administration (SSA) , BCA is intermediary in the Medicare program for 77 percent of the participating providers (90 percent of the participating hospitals, 50 percent of the participating skilled nursing facilities, and 76 percent of the participating home health agencies).