Stellarus, a healthcare technology and strategic solutions company, announced today that the Hawaii Physician Service Association and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas have joined as co-founders, alongside Blue Shield of California. Together, these nonprofit health plans are adopting Stellarus’ AI-driven technology innovation platform to deliver smarter, more personalized, and more affordable healthcare to the communities they serve.
In today’s healthcare environment, the ability to adopt advanced technology often defines which organizations can deliver affordable, high-quality care and which fall behind. Yet, the costs and complexities of building or integrating digital capabilities remain out of reach for many health plans. Stellarus was created to solve this challenge by giving health plans of all sizes access to cutting-edge technology without sacrificing their independence or community focus.
The Stellarus platform leverages artificial intelligence and modern digital tools to streamline operations and improve member experiences. It enables faster, more accurate responses to member inquiries, near real-time care authorizations, and efficient handling of administrative processes. By centralizing innovation, Stellarus helps nonprofit health plans enhance care delivery while lowering operational barriers.
“Healthcare doesn’t need more standalone products—it needs a fundamental shift,” said Vanessa Colella, President and CEO of Stellarus. “With Stellarus, we’re giving health plans the power to stay independent and mission-driven while gaining access to the technologies that make healthcare more human, accessible, and affordable for the people we serve.”
At its core, the Stellarus platform integrates critical components such as the Experience Cube, a centralized data hub that consolidates diverse information into a single source of truth, and the Digital Health Record, which provides a comprehensive, real-time view of each member’s health journey. By merging more than 60 data sources—from clinical and demographic details to provider, billing, and claims data—the platform supports automation, personalized care for chronic conditions, and secure access to digital health records for both members and physicians.
“The healthcare system must stop charging people more while offering less,” said Paul Markovich, president and CEO of Ascendiun, Stellarus’ parent company. “With Stellarus, regional and nonprofit health plans can offer affordable, high-quality, and truly personal care.”
For decades, Hawaii Physician Service Association, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, and Blue Shield of California have worked independently to meet the unique needs of their communities. Leaders from both new co-founders emphasized that Stellarus allows them to invest in shared innovation while preserving their local independence. By collaborating, they aim to shape a modern healthcare system that combines affordability, personalization, and technological advancement.
Earlier this year, Stellarus became part of the Ascendiun family of companies, which includes Blue Shield of California, its subsidiary Blue Shield Promise Health Plan, and clinical services provider Altais. Blue Shield of California, the first plan partner to adopt Stellarus in early 2025, continues to pioneer the platform’s capabilities, applying them to enhance the care experience for its six million members.
