Regence Announces Renewal of Individual and Small Group Health Plans Through 2014

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon announced today that its eligible members with individual and small group plans will have the option of renewing their existing health care policies through 2014. Eligible plans include EvolveCore and Evolve HSA for individual members, and Innova and HSA Healthplan 2.0 for small group members. Individual plans were originally scheduled to be discontinued on December 31, and small group plans were scheduled to be converted to ACA-compliant plans upon their 2014 renewal dates as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This morning Regence filed with OID its intent to offer renewal of these plans through 2014.

"Regence is offering additional health coverage options through 2014 because we're committed to ensuring that none of our members suffer a gap in coverage on January 1," said Don Antonucci, president of Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon. "This is an unprecedented time of change in health care, and we're here to support our members and help them understand all of their options, both on and off the exchange."

Members can learn more about their coverage choices with Regence or other options available through Cover Oregon by visiting regence.com. Individual members who are eligible and decide to renew their current plans with Regence through 2014 must do so by December 20, 2013; small group members must renew by December 16, 2013. Eligible members will be able to renew plans at current 2013 rates, with minor adjustments for changes in mandated federal and state taxes and fees. Members who move into a new age group rating category could experience a rate adjustment, as they currently do.

Eligible members soon will receive new letters from Regence informing them of the 2014 plan renewal options, as well as alternative coverage options, including ACA-compliant plans which may come with additional benefits and a subsidy. As currently established, non-grandfathered members will need to move to ACA-compliant plans beginning in 2015. Regence estimates approximately 45,000 individual members and 38,700 small group members are eligible for this 2014 plan renewal option.

About Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon is a leading health plan in Oregon, with approximately 750,000 members, offering health, life and dental insurance. Regence is the largest health insurer in the Northwest / Intermountain Region, serving more than two million members as Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield (selected counties in Washington). Each plan is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and a subsidiary of Cambia Health Solutions. 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 www.twitter.com/RegenceOregon.

SOURCE Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon