Producer News

2023: Jan. | Mar. 1 | Mar. 28 | Apr. | May | June | Aug. 3 | Aug. 29 | Sept.

2022: Jan. | Mar. 1 | Mar. 29 | Apr. | May | June | July | Sept. | Oct. | Dec. | archive

2023

September

August 29

August 3

June

Ancillary sales broker bonus program enhanced for 2023

We’re excited to announce an enhancement to our competitive 2023 ancillary broker bonus program. Appointed producers will receive credit for new USAble Life Life and Disability sales; Dental cases; and LifeMap sales.

Producer Center Classic experience to be retired

Since launching our enhanced Producer Center experience, we’ve received positive feedback and added new features. Now we’re preparing to retire the Classic experience. If you haven’t used the enhanced Producer Center experience, now’s the time.

Q4 planning guide for small group producers

With Q4 approaching, it’s not too early to start open enrollment (OE) planning for your small groups. In addition to supporting groups’ annual certification, there are other activities you can do now to help ensure a smooth OE this year.

2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D certification training

To remain compliant with CMS regulations, you must certify annually to sell our Medicare Advantage and Part D Rx plans. Plus: See how to view applicants’ status in Producer Center.

Regence Individual & Family plans updated for 2024

For 2024, our goal is to expand our availability and help make health care simpler for more Individual members. Get the latest updates and check out how our comprehensive plans provide a better overall experience for your customers.

DispatchHealth offers Bridge Care to help members recover after discharge

After a patient is discharged from a hospital, an in-home Bridge Care visit from DispatchHealth can help ensure they’re recovering and get them to their PCP so they don’t have to be readmitted.

We’re sending new member ID cards to Utah fully insured group and Individual members

Utah state mandate requires “State Regulated” to be printed on fully insured member ID cards. We’re sending new cards upon the next renewal date.

May

How to keep up with Producer Center enhancements

We've recently added new functionality to the new Producer Center experience to make it easier for you to access the tools you need more quickly and manage your business more efficiently.

Keep mental health awareness going all year long- REG

Although Mental Health Awareness Month—May—is almost over, our content can help your groups maintain awareness all year long. We've put everything in one place for you to share with your groups and members.

Life and Disability sales and renewal transition from LifeMap to USAble Life

All new and renewing Life and Disability sales with effective dates beginning July 1, 2023, are now USAble Life products. Learn more about how this change affects small group quoting and renewals.

Members get primary care conveniently and quickly with Doctor On Demand

Accessing primary care is crucial to improving health outcomes and lowering health care costs, yet utilization is low and declining. Virtual Primary Care from Doctor On Demand helps change that.

Tips for selling Medicare year-round

Annual Election Period (AEP) is a busy time for enrolling new members, but you can also enroll members at other times each year. Explore how opportunities for new Medicare sales are created year-round when prospective members move.

We're expanding site-of-service reviews to help provide members better access to high-value care

Health care is expensive, and we're committed to providing access to high-quality care at the lowest price. Effective July 1, we're adding site-of-service pre-authorization reviews so members receive the standard of care cost-effectively.

April

March 28

March 1

Tips for selling Medicare year-round: Working past age 65

Although the Annual Election Period (AEP) is the busiest time of year for Medicare sales, opportunities abound to sell Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans year-round, especially to people working beyond age 65.

Third Thursdays webinar series evolves for 2023

Our Third Thursday education webinars help keep you up to date on our products, important industry trends, our business process improvements and more. Topics cover all lines of business in all markets. Join us for each Third Thursday.

Regence partners with USAble Life to improve members well-being

We partnered with USAble Life to improve the medical, dental and financial well-being of our customers and members. The latest update on our partnership includes important process changes to sales and renewals of life and disability products.

Q1 Checklist: 3 ways to help your groups right now

Now’s a great time to help your groups get the most out of their health plan benefits. Check these three things off your list to help put your groups—and their enrolled employees—on the path to a better health care experience this year.

Producer Center Enhancements happening in 2023

After we released the new Producer Center experience in January, we got right back to work developing more enhancements, which we’ll roll out in 2023.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) renewals

We’ve received approval on our Medicare Supplement (Medigap) rates. Along with our competitive rates there are many great reasons to sell our Medigap plans all year long.

Equip virtual therapy provider added to our network to treat eating disorders among children and young adults

Eating disorders commonly begin during adolescence, but most treatment programs are challenging to access and manage. We’ve added Equip, an eating disorder care provider that delivers effective virtual, family-based therapy, to our network.

Leadership promotions key Oregon Sales and Account Management team additions

We’re pleased to announce promotions of four Sales and Account Management leaders and several additions to strengthen our team and better serve you and our customers.

January

2022

December 2022

Papa Pals updates for 2023 and Oregon and Utah Medigap renewals

Papa Pals, friendly helpers who assist Medicare Advantage members, are available to provide in-person help beginning Jan. 1, 2023. Plus, check out our Medicare Supplement (Medigap) renewals for Oregon and Utah.

New Producer Center experience coming early 2023

Your enhanced Producer Center experience is coming in January. We’ve heard your feedback! The updated design offers new capabilities that streamline managing accounts and make selling and renewing easier than ever.

New IRS rule that closes so-called family glitch may impact enrollment

The new rule extends Marketplace subsidies for more low-income consumers. This may mean some employees considering joining their employer’s plan shop on the Marketplace instead. Here’s what you need to know.

DispatchHealth delivering the right care at the right time—in the right setting

In-network provider DispatchHealth can bring on-call care to most members’ homes throughout the Spokane, Seattle/Tacoma, Boise and Portland metro areas, saving unnecessary trips to the ER.

Deadline for Jan. 1, 2023, new small group business extended

The deadline for new small group submissions via our Electronic Group Master Application (eGMA) has been extended to midnight, Sunday, Dec. 18. Please review our new group submission requirements and check out our probationary period calculator.

ACA preventive care updates effective Jan. 1, 2023

We’ve made several updates to our covered preventive care services effective Jan. 1, 2023. Please check out the updates for next year’s preventive care brochures and encourage your groups to share them with employees!

October 2022

ASO groups: New solutions help employees manage diabetes and hypertension, and help groups contain costs

Chronic cardiometabolic conditions affect one in three Americans and cost $500+ billion annually. Omada’s integrated prevention, diabetes and hypertension solutions for ASO groups bring a new approach to delivering better health outcomes for patients.

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) materials available

Annual Enrollment Period materials for 2023 are available through Producer Center and we encourage you to choose electronic versions when possible. Medicare Advantage and Medigap Agent of Record change request are also available.

Regence continues to expand behavioral health resources and network

We’re adding AbleTo—an evidence-based behavioral health provider—to our network. Available to all members ages 18 and older, AbleTo’s unique eight-week therapy program can reduce depression, anxiety and stress.

Help avoid delays in enrollment processing

Open enrollment is right around the corner, starting Nov. 1. Make sure you’re ready to onboard your groups quickly with our list of to-dos to help make enrollment processing smooth.

Certain cardiac services to require pre-authorization starting Jan. 1, 2023

Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, we’re adding pre-authorization (PA) to coverage of specific cardiac procedures for members on fully insured plans. PA helps ensure providers follow the standard of care and avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.

Coverage for continuous glucose monitors moving to pharmacy benefit in 2023

To help improve the member experience, we are moving coverage of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) from medical to pharmacy plans, effective Jan. 1, 2023. This way, members can receive all their diabetic supplies from one provider.

Change to group delinquency notifications

To avoid USPS delays and make it easier for us to reach customers working remotely, we’re changing the way we notify groups about late payments. Starting Nov. 1, we’ll send second and third past-due notices to groups only via email.

Annual pharmacy formulary updates

Our pharmacy team updates our formulary each year to ensure the safest, highest quality and most cost-effective prescription drugs and supplies are available under our members’ pharmacy plans. Check out the updates for 2023.

September 2022

July 2022

Leverage Regence EAP for improved workforce health and cost savings

Counseling through the Regence Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can help employees address minor mental health concerns before they become bigger issues. Share these resources with your groups.

Coming soon! A new and improved provider search experience

The provider search tool is getting an upgrade. The improved tool has an intuitive design and refreshed, user-friendly experience that will make it easier than ever for members to find the right provider for them.

Active & Fit Direct™ enrollment fee waived through August 31st for standard fitness centers

With Active&Fit Direct, members can exercise at the gym or with videos at home for just $25 a month. With no enrollment fee through August 31, members can save even more.

2023 Medicare Advantage and Part D certification training

To remain compliant with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regulations and earn commissions, producers are required to certify annually. To sell our Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans, you must certify by September 15, 2022.

New: Get the latest insights on health plan trends

See the latest information on trends in health plan design with our new 2022 reports. Compare your groups’ plans with other businesses by state, size and industry—and share your findings with those groups.

Action required: Important changes to AutoPay and one-time payments

Groups who use AutoPay, or those who make one-time payments online and have ACH block for added security on their bank accounts, need to take action to update their accounts. Please share this information with your customers.

2023 product updates for large (51+) groups

For 2023, our large group (51+) product and benefits updates deliver innovative health plan options to fit each group’s needs. New solutions focus on virtual care, increased wellness incentives and helping members get affordable care.

June 2022

Transparency in Coverage Rule: Machine-readable files implementation effective July 1

Effective July 1, health insurers and group health plans must provide public access to machine-readable files of every group’s in-network negotiated (INN) and out-of-network (ONN) provider costs.

OHSU to leave Regence Blue HPN and Peace Health networks July 15

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) will no longer be included in the Blue HPN and Peace Health networks, and is reducing services in the Legacy Alliance LHP network. Beyond these changes, OHSU will remain in network for most Regence members.

Regence names Dr. Mike Franz as senior medical director of behavioral health

Dr. Mike Franz has joined us as executive medical director of behavioral health. In this role, Dr. Franz will collaborate with providers to enhance the quality of care and access to innovative behavioral health offerings.

Join us for a first look at 2023 Medicare Advantage plans

Register for a webinar for a first look at 2023 Medicare Advantage plans. Plus, invitations for Medicare Advantage and Part D certification training will be coming soon.

Members make smart choices and save money with medication support

It’s important our members get the best prescription options for their health and their wallet. Included in all group plans, medication support is a suite of tools to help members manage prescriptions and make informed choices.

Dial 988: America’s new suicide prevention and mental health crisis lifeline

Beginning in July, people across the U.S. can call, text or chat 988 to connect to counselors who are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. Counselors are trained to provide support and link callers to community-based care.

May 2022

April 2022

New toolkits help employees engage more fully with their health plan

We’re developing toolkits, starting with regence.com and app employer engagement so groups can help their employees get the most out of their plan. Plus, MDLIVE, our large group telehealth partner, conducted its quarterly member engagement campaign.

Producer Center and eGMA updates help ease renewals

We recently improved two systems that will be helpful at renewal time. In Producer Center, census visibility now allows you to view a detailed, current census for groups. In eGMA, we’ve made it easier to determine groups’ certification status.

Illinois Consumer Coverage Disclosure Act: What you need to know to help your groups

Groups with employees in Illinois are required to provide employees essential health benefits information. You can lend your expertise to help provide groups the information they’ll need to comply with this requirement.

Medicare supplement plans available

Guaranteed issue is a great way to add enrollees throughout the year. In addition to our competitive rates, be sure to check out the many additional reasons to sell our Medigap plans.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month: Tools for employers and members

Each May is national Mental Health Month—an important time to remind groups and employees of the importance in taking care of mental health. Make sure to share the tools and resources so your clients can pass the information to their employees.

Preventive care: Learn about benefit updates taking effect May 1

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has updated its recommendations for prediabetes, type 2 diabetes screening, and healthy weight during pregnancy. We’ve updated our benefits to meet these new recommendations effective May 1, 2022.

March 29, 2022

Group “Annual Certifications Released” emails now copy producer support

Producers receive a certification email notification every month that contains a list of their groups’ annual certifications that have been released prior to renewal. You can now add a support person to also receive these monthly notifications.

Individual market: New special enrollment period (SEP) open to lower-income consumers

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a special enrollment period (SEP) to allow eligible lower-income consumers to enroll in Marketplace coverage. Check out the qualification criteria and inform Individual prospects.

Sunsetting preauthorization requirements on chiropractic, acupuncture and massage (CAM) care

Members on fully insured plans can now receive chiropractic, acupuncture and massage alternative care without needing to first secure pre-authorization. This improved access is a great reason to recommend Regence to new groups.

Encourage Medicare members to participate in CAHPS survey

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires insurers to survey members. The Consumer Assessment Healthcare Provider Survey (CAHPS) results help improve health care and impact Medicare Star ratings. Please encourage participation!

Update your browser for the best experience using tools on our site

Keeping your internet browser up to date is important—and it makes using tools on regence.com easier. Using outdated browser versions can heighten your exposure to security risks and diminish your experience. See which versions we recommend.

March 1, 2022

January 2022

New digital experience includes nurse chat, making it easier for small group and Individual members to get care and advice

We’ve recently added nurse chat functionality for small group (1-50; 2-50 in Idaho) and Individual members. If members in these groups have a health-related question or concern, they can chat with a nurse to get answers or guidance.

Behavioral health resources are expanding to address member needs

We’re expanding our capacity and offering members greater access to the behavioral health care they need. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the resources embedded with your groups’ networks, as well as optional resources available.

Help your groups get a healthy start to the new year

Are your groups getting the most out of their health plan benefits? When their enrolled employees create an account with us online or through the app, they can access our enhanced digital experience and tools to help with all their health needs.

Know your enrollment form ABCs

Making sure your groups’ enrollment forms are complete enables us to process them without delays and helps ensure enrolled members receive their member ID cards on time. Check out these tips for how to avoid incomplete forms in the future.

Last call for Medicare Advantage members with January 1 effective dates to add dental coverage

There’s still time to add the Dental OSB before the Jan. 31 deadline for members with Jan. 1, 2022, effective dates. Make sure your Medicare clients are also taking advantage of the Silver&Fit® program. Plus, tips to navigate the Medicare OEP.

Help your small groups start early on saving on medical premiums

When enrolled employees submit their Health Assessment and complete a biometric screening in the first few months of their plan year, groups save money on their premium for every enrolled employee submission.