Medical Treatment Costs Demystified For Regence Members

Estimator tool delivers customized average network price

April 6, 2009

PORTLAND – Taking the mystery out of treatment costs will help Regence members get the greatest value for their health care dollars.

The Treatment Cost Estimator lets Regence members look up network average costs on myRegence.com, the company's member-focused Web site.  The feature is linked to a member's specific health care plan and helps members understand when treating a specific condition, what services they can expect, how long the treatment will last and what the total cost may be.

"Every other service industry provides estimates of cost prior to service," says Dr. Dennis Chong, Regence Chief Medical Officer.  "We believe this should apply to our industry as well.  From the customer perspective, we are helping them make informed choices prior to service and avoiding potential 'sticker shock.' From the physician's perspective, we are reducing the risk of bad debt because the individual is informed prior to service."

Using the tool, members can access network average costs within their own geographic area for common treatments within the following categories:  children's health; chronic care; dental services; ear, nose and throat; joint conditions of the hand, hip, knee or shoulder; men's health; women's health; and mental health.

The initial treatments were selected after looking at the volume of claims for each condition submitted to Regence and the number of searches the company received in its medical encyclopedia.  The list of treatments for which cost information is available will be expanded every few months.

"As health care cost-sharing becomes increasingly prevalent, it is vitally important to educate individuals about how their health plans work and improve their understanding of the actual costs of medical services and how those services will be paid," Chong said.

Background on myRegence.com
myRegence.com is designed to help advise members on health care and lifestyle options, provide navigation through the health care system and reward those who make healthier choices.  With myRegence.com, members can find all of their health-related resources in one place, including claims information, fitness and nutrition tips, medication summaries and other helpful information.  Members can even earn Regence Reward points – redeemable for gift certificates to hundreds of retailers – just for actively taking charge of their health.

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 (in selected counties in Washington), Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield of Idaho.  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.