New self-managed plan lets members earn virtual funds through healthy choices PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 4
PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- We all know the benefits of healthy
living, and now there's a health plan that rewards members for doing the right
thing. Regence's new Activate self-managed health plan offers the strongest
embodiment yet of the company's belief that engaged consumers are a vital
partner in transforming health care.
"Employers today want to support their employees' efforts to adopt
healthier lifestyles," said Mohan Nair, executive vice president and chief
marketing executive for Regence. "Regence Activate offers a solution by
encouraging members to become active partners in their health care decisions
and rewarding them directly for that behavior."
Now available for fully insured groups of two or more, Regence Activate
members earn points for engaging in healthy behaviors. These points convert to
Member Choice Funds, which can be used to pay deductibles or other covered
out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Regence Activate members use myRegence.com to log activity, earn points,
and manage their Member Choice Account. Each year, a member earns $200 of
Member Choice Funds just for completing an online health assessment. Members
can continue to earn an additional $400 each year by logging their activities
at myRegence.com. Choosing from a list of 67 qualifying wellness activities,
members can earn points for participating in programs for weight loss or for
activities such as running, skiing, health club attendance, getting an annual
flu shot, and attending a nutrition or healthy cooking class.
"Regence Activate offers a win-win for employers and their employees,"
said Nair. "Employees will reap the benefits of healthy living and managing
their own health care, while Regence partners with their employer to
incentivize the right behavior."
Having healthier employees translates into a healthier bottom line for
employers. Regence's own employees, for example, have shown that embracing
healthier lifestyles can lead to reduced health care costs. Regence's health
care cost trends for their own employees have steadily decreased since 2002
due to incentive programs that have encouraged employees to lose weight, quit
smoking, and engage in other healthy behaviors.
Self-managed plans are a completely new kind of coverage that promotes
healthy living, fewer hassles, and more choice. The plans include at no
additional cost a variety of programs to help members make the best use of
those choices. These include:
-- MyRegence.com -- claims, accumulators, information, tools, programs
-- Health Coach
-- 24/7 NurseLine
-- Special Beginnings
-- Regence Advantages program -- discounts on things such as hearing aids,
fitness club membership, weight management program, contact lenses and
LASIK
With self-managed plans, members don't need to check to see if their
doctor is in or out of a network -- all are available in these plans. No
primary care physician requirements and no referral requirements mean fewer
hassles for members. For more information on Regence's self-managed plans and
product features, go to http://www.selfmanagedplans.com.
About Regence
Regence is the largest health insurer in the Northwest / Intermountain
Region, offering health, life and dental insurance. Regence serves three
million members as Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield
of Oregon, Regence BlueShield (in Washington) and Regence BlueCross BlueShield
of Utah. Each health plan is a not-for-profit independent licensee of the Blue
Cross and Blue Shield Association. Regence is committed to improving the
health of our members and our communities, and to transforming our health care
system. For more information, please visit regence.com.
SOURCE Regence
