Regence believes it has the answer to two of the biggest problems with employer-provided health insurance—unpredictable premium cost hikes and accompanying changes in benefits.

The Regence Rate Assure health plan gives employers three years of predictable rate adjustments and planned benefit changes.

“Employers are often faced with shopping for a new plan to help control costs, which results in unplanned benefit changes,” explained Mohan Nair, executive vice president and chief marketing executive for Regence, the largest health insurer in the Northwest/Intermountain Region. “Regence Rate Assure offers a solution that eliminates the concern and confusion of unexpected rate and benefit changes. Employers can predict their premium rates three years out, while the step approach to benefits and wellness support helps employees transition to taking greater control of their own health care.”

Regence Rate Assure combines Regence’s self-managed plans: Innova^®, Engage^®, Activate^SM and/or the consumer-directed health plan Regence HSA Healthplan 2.0^SM. Employers can choose from eight packages that combine a health plan and the Regence Rate Assure rate guarantee. All of these options gradually move the group to a more consumer-focused benefit structure each year. No matter which package they choose, employers will have annual rate increases of only six percent for the second and third years and a planned transition to modified benefit packages.

The packages also offer member wellness programs and tools to help employees and their families take a more proactive role in their health care. For example, myRegence.com is a free, members-only Web site that hosts personal health records, treatment and medication information, consumer tools, videos, and discussion boards to engage members and reward healthy behaviors.

Members also receive the following benefits:

• CareEnhance^®, a toll-free, 24/7 health information resource.
• Regence Health Coach^SM, a highly trained wellness coach who helps members individually with their wellness goals.
• Special Beginnings^®, a maternity management program that includes specialized assessments, personalized tools and materials, and round-the-clock nurse advice.
• Regence Disease Management, in which certified disease managers teach members to monitor their condition daily and follow their treatment plan for optimal health.

Regence Rate Assure is available for fully insured groups of 51 or more enrolled employees.