Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of GuideWell Mutual Holding Corporation and Its Operating Subsidiaries

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “aa-” (Superior) of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc. d/b/a Florida Blue, and its affiliates, Health Options, Inc., Capital Health Plan, Inc. (Tallahassee, FL) and Florida Health Care Plan, Inc. (Holly Hill, FL). These companies collectively are referred to as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Group. AM Best also has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR of “a” (Excellent) of Florida Combined Life Insurance Company, Inc. Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR of “a-” (Excellent) of Triple-S Vida, Inc. (San Juan, PR) (TSV). Lastly, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of “a-” (Excellent) of GuideWell Mutual Holding Corporation (GuideWell). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. All aforementioned companies are domiciled in Jacksonville, FL, unless otherwise specified.

The ratings of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Group reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

The rating affirmations reflect Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Group’s material market share in Florida, supported by the strong brand name recognition, a diversified distribution and strong operating performance. The group’s risk-adjusted capitalization is very strong, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). The group continues to benefit from additional financial flexibility from GuideWell and GuideWell Group, Inc. (GGI). The organization maintains dedicated assets at GGI to support risk-adjusted capitalization as necessary. The group has maintained favorable overall liquidity and has access to additional sources of operating liquidity, including access to a revolving credit facility at GuideWell and available credit facilities at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta for Florida Blue and Health Options, Inc. The operating profitability ratios remained favorable through 2024. Over the most recent five-year period, the group’s five-year return on equity averaged 18.0% and return on revenue was 3.2% in 2024. Total earnings declined in 2024 over the prior year end driven by an increase in medical utilization, partially offset by a prior-year restatement and final 2023 Affordable Care Act risk adjustment. Florida Blue reported favorable premium development in 2024 driven by increased membership that exceeded enrollment goals for the year.

The ratings of Florida Combined Life Insurance Company, Inc., reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate ERM.

The rating affirmations consider Florida Combined Life Insurance Company, Inc. maintaining its strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by BCAR. Despite dividend payments to its parent, the company reported year-over-year capital growth through 2024 and continues to generate favorable operating results. The company provides product diversification offering Blue Cross Blue Shield-branded dental, life, and disability insurance products, providing the organization with supplemental products.

The ratings of TSV reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate ERM.

The rating affirmations reflect TSV’s very strong risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by BCAR and improved operating results. TSV has reported a consistent trend of premium growth, and the company has remained profitable over the past five years. However, the company’s operating earnings have fluctuated. Operating and net earnings improved significantly in 2024 with a decline in the loss ratio and increased net investment income. TSV benefits from the financial and operating support of its ultimate parent, GuideWell.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2025 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.