inside the industry

Regence BlueCross BlueShield Invests Millions in For-Profit Ventures

At the same time, the non-profit insurer has been shedding members, having lost more than 650,000 people in the individual and group market in Oregon alone since 2007
July 19, 2012 – Regence BlueCross BlueShield is starting to look more like a for-profit healthcare business – with a dash of venture capital thrown in for good measure.   Read More >>

PacificSource Chosen by Workgroup for Essential Health Benefits Package

Now Governor John Kitzhaber must either accept the recommendation or choose a different health plan by September 30
June 25, 2012— A 19-member, governor-appointed workgroup made up largely of hospital and insurance representatives has selected PacificSource’s small group plan as the state’s essential health benefits package.   Read More >>

Data on Healthcare Violence Remains Out of Reach

Statistics say healthcare workers are twice as likely to be victims of workplace violence, but employers are exempt from OSHA reporting requirements, and can keep info on training and safety plans under wraps
June 7, 2012 -- Two weeks ago, community health worker Jennifer Warren was stabbed to death in the St. Helens home of Brent K. Redd Jr., who was receiving services from Columbia County Community Mental Health (CCMH), Warren's employer.   Read More >>

Seminar presents holistic view of pain management

Organizers said the course represents a shift in thinking about prescription opiates
May 24, 2012--More than 200 doctors, nurses and others in the health care industry gathered in downtown Portland Thursday to learn more about how to help patients manage pain without solely relying on prescription medication, as well as what to do when medication stops working. Read More >>

Regence’s Five-Year Decline in Oregon Gives Kaiser the Oregon Commercial Insurance Mantle

After losing over 630,000 members since the end of 2007, Regence finds itself looking up at Kaiser in the latest Oregon health insurance membership numbers
May 10, 2012 -- Regence BlueCross BlueShield may have witnessed its final months as Oregon’s top insurer in the commercial marketplace. Only five years ago–in 2007–Regence led Kaiser by a margin of 633,510 members as Regence insured over 1.1 million commercially.   Read More >>

Regence BlueCross BlueShield Sets Off Fury Among Members

The latest move by Regence officials will require people to pay more money to see their physician of choice
May 2, 2012 -- When Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon decided to slash the medical benefits for people in the Portland metropolitan area, its management team could never have imagined the fury that it set off.   Read More >>

Advocates Upset Over Regence's Decision to Eliminate Mental Health

Regence's decision is bad news for Oregonians, according to Laura Etherton of OSPIRG
April 25, 2012 – Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon's decision to slash mental health benefits and impose a much higher deductible for medical care and prescription coverage has consumer advocates upset. About 30,000 Oregonians  who have individual policies will feel the impact starting October 1.  Read More >>

Patient Physician Cooperative Offers Discounted Fees Without Insurance

The cooperative, which got under way last May in Portland originated in Houston, Texas
April 18, 2012 -- Portland is home to numerous co-operatives – including grocery stores and other businesses that employees run with their customers. So a healthcare co-op model allowing patients to choose a naturopathic doctor or acupuncturist as their primary care provider might seem like a uniquely Portland idea. Read More >>

Regence Faces Legal Action from LifeWise Assurance Company

A complaint was filed in U.S. District Court after Regence Life and Health began using the competitor’s brand name
April 18, 2012 – Regence Life and Health Insurance Company could find itself in federal court after changing its corporate name to LifeMap Assurance Company.   Read More >>

CUP Awaits Ruling in HCA Medicaid Case

Program exclusion prompts reaction from legislative delegation
April 12, 2012 -- For nearly two decades, Columbia United Providers (CUP) has prided itself on creating a healthcare model that works for patients and providers in the most cost-effective manner possible.   Read More >>
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