Regence's 'What's The Real Cost' Website Beats Out Celebrity Video ...

PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 13, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Regence BlueCross BlueShield's "What's The Real Cost" website has received the PR News' Platinum PR Award in the website marketing category. The award recognizes the year's best communications initiatives and programs from across the country. Runners-up included campaigns by several large companies and a celebrity video.

WhatsTheRealCost.org is the centerpiece of Regence's long-standing consumer cost education campaign, an effort designed to educate consumers about the real costs of health care, and how the individual choices they make each day impact those costs. Ultimately the campaign strives to activate consumers to make more informed health care decisions.

The campaign website, www.WhatsTheRealCost.org, connects with consumers by providing clear information about rising health care costs in a fun and interactive format, while offering a venue for sharing ideas and experiences about health care trends and rising costs.

"WhatsTheRealCost.org is part of a campaign Regence began nearly two years ago to help improve understanding of health care and to clearly demonstrate what actions individuals can take every day to hold down health care costs," said Mark Ganz, Regence president and CEO. "We're proud that PR News has recognized our effort to connect with consumers on this complex, but very important issue."

WhatsTheRealCost.org has received several other national and international recognitions including a 2010 People's Choice Webby Award and a nod as the "cutting edge Website of the day" from the Favourite Website Awards.

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 BlueCross BlueShield