An analysis released Tuesday by Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield says that the health insurer and its parent company pumped $852 million into the Upstate NY economy last year.
That's on top of the $5.1 billion in medical benefits it paid out on behalf of 1.5 million members.
The analysis by Excellus showed the company employed more than 5,600 people spread out across the upstate area. It also showed that the spending on payroll and purchases from thousands of vendors supported an additional 1,700 jobs in upstate NY.
Excellus says while it is exempt from some taxes as a nonprofit, it did pay nearly $500 million in federal, state and local taxes and fees last year.
