regence bluecross blueshield

Rate Filings Must Be Public Unless Insurers Can Prove Disclosure Hurts Competition

The Department of Justice affirmed that the standard is based on a 2007 law; last year, Regence BlueCross BlueShield withheld information from the public in its rate filing.
April 26, 2013 -- Oregon health insurers that want to keep parts of their rate review filings secret may have to show that public disclosure will hurt overall marketplace competition, and not just their own bottom line. Read More >>

Senate Health Committee Approves Treatment for Autistic Children

Private insurers and public health plans will be required to cover applied behavior analysis after a deal is reached between autism advocates, insurers and Sen. Alan Bates, a Medford physician.
April 19, 2013 — A landmark bill regarding autism passed the Senate Health Committee unanimously Thursday, paving the way for insurance coverage of a specialized treatment that supporters say will help severely handicapped autistic children live more functional lives. Read More >>

OSPIRG Report Calls on Insurers to Do More to Control Costs

The new report says 2009 insurance reforms have resulted in $80 million savings, but says health insurers are still not being held fully accountable for their hyper-inflated rate increases.
April 19, 2013 — The Oregon State Public Interest Research Group Foundation has released a major report on Oregon’s health insurance rate review policy, finding that the Insurance Division has reduced $80 million in healthcare waste after the division’s prior approval process was strengthened by the Legislature in 2009. Read More >>

House Committee Votes to Require Insurers to Pay for Court-Ordered Treatment

Regence BlueCross BlueShield opposes the provision, arguing to keep current law where private insurers have the option to deny claims for alcohol or drug treatment if it’s a result of a DUII or other conviction
March 29, 2013 — People with drug and alcohol addictions who end up in treatment as a result of a DUII will get their treatment picked up by insurance if a bill sponsored by Rep. Phil Barnhart, D-Eugene, becomes law. Read More >>

Oregon’s New Health CO-OP Promises Lowest Administrative Costs

Its CEO, Dr. Ralph Prows, wants to hear from consumers and business leaders and is hosting a series of sharing sessions
September 6, 2012 -- A consumer-driven insurance plan is gathering momentum in Oregon. Not only will people have a chance to help design this new plan, they can also have a seat on its governing board. Read More >>

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 >>

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 >>

Oregon Prescription Drug Program Bill Dies a Second Death

For the second legislative session in a row, the bill could not overcome opposition from the insurance industry
March 15, 2012—Legislation requiring state agencies to purchase their prescription drugs through the Oregon Prescription Drug Program (OPDP) once again was unable to overcome staunch opposition from the pharmaceutical industry and insurance lobbyists. Read More >>

Kaiser on Pace to Take the Membership Mantle from Regence in 2012

After facing more than a 600,000 membership deficit four years ago, Regence BlueCross BlueShield appears to be losing its commanding lead over Kaiser Permanente
December 22, 2011 – Membership at Regence BlueCross BlueShield continued its freefall when the latest enrollment numbers were released by the Oregon Insurance Division.   Read More >>

Regence BlueCross BlueShield Seeks 4.5% Rate Increase for Small Businesses

Earlier this year, the Insurance Division approved a 9.1% request from Regence for small employer plans
December 22, 2011 -- Small businesses in Oregon will find themselves paying more for health insurance if a 4.5% rate request by Regence BlueCross BlueShield is approved by the Oregon Insurance Division. Read More >>
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