Regence Members Go Green With Paperless Benefits Statements

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Regence has launched a new service that allows eligible members to make the switch from paper explanation of benefits (EOB) statements to automated online EOBs. This meets the demand for quick, easy and environmentally friendly access to health information, and it aligns with the company's commitment to sustainability.

"This new automated service allows our members to see their EOBs much more quickly," said Torben Nielsen, Director of eBusiness Services at Regence. "If they elect to go paperless, members receive an e-mail notification as soon as an EOB is available. They can log on to myRegence.com to view it right away."

Regence members interested in receiving paperless EOBs can visit myRegence.com to see if their current benefit plan is eligible for the service. They can also elect to continue receiving paper statements in the mail, if they prefer. In January of 2011, approximately 1.8 million Regence members will have access to this service, and the remainder of Regence members will be transitioned to this service over the next year.

Regence sends out 2.3 million paper EOBs each month, Nielsen said. By providing the paperless option, Regence makes it possible for eligible members to significantly reduce environmental impact and reduce production and postage costs. The company estimates it will save about $620,000 in 2011 and upward of a million dollars in 2012 with this change.

Paperless EOBs are the latest in a series of steps Regence has taken to reduce its operating costs and its overall impact on the environment, saving millions since 2009. The company has also implemented double-sided printing of internal documents and has moved to lighting systems that automatically turn off after a period of time if no one is in that area.

"If we reduce impact to the environment while providing a better member experience and reducing the administrative costs, it's a positive situation for everyone," said Dan Medin, Director of Corporate Sustainability for Regence. "These opportunities where everyone benefits are core to our sustainability strategy."

myRegence.com is designed to advise members on health care and lifestyle options, help them navigate through the health care system, and reward those who make healthier choices. Through myRegence.com, members can find all their health and wellness related resources in one place. They can start to become more involved in their own health care through education, transparency of information and choice by discovering interactive tools to research treatment options, cost-quality comparisons of hospitals, wellness programs and activities and incentives for making healthy lifestyle choices.  

About Regence

Regence is the largest health insurer in the Northwest / Intermountain Region, offering health, life and dental insurance. Regence serves nearly 2.5 million members as Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield (selected counties in Washington). Each health plan is a nonprofit 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 www.regence.com or follow us on Twitter.

SOURCE Regence