12/19/2008
New myRegence.com tools put provider information into the hands of members
In 2008, Regence launched two key features that provide our members with better access to important information when making their health care decisions, member reviews and enhanced provider profiles. These features are two sides of a coin: on one side we give members the opportunity to leave feedback on a visit with a provider; on the other we allow providers to communicate directly with members to showcase their practice. The information is presented in a way that is easy to understand. When a good match is made between provider and patient, it is a win-win. These features add value to all Regence products by delivering on the quality and value of health care; when used effectively these features also can reduce the total cost of ownership associated with health care.
Member Reviews
Member Reviews allow members to post feedback on a visit with a doctor or other health care provider as well as see the reviews of other Regence members. Provider reviews are associated with claims. So the only way to leave feedback about a provider is if a member has indeed had an appointment with that provider and Regence has processed the claim. This is a key differentiator between myRegence.com and other sites such as Angieslist, which allow provider reviews but cannot guarantee the reviewer has actually seen the doctor!
Members can rank providers on the criteria listed below and leave free-form comments that allow members to explain, in their own words, how they felt about the care they received:
- Was the medical staff helpful?
- How long was your wait time?
- Would you recommend this medical provider to others?
- Did they give a thorough, understandable explanation?
So far it seems that Regence members have been happy with their medical care, as 90% of the almost 30,000 surveys posted to date on myRegence.com recommend the provider to someone else.
Using the Provider Search tool, it is possible to see member reviews when choosing a health care provider. Similar to choosing a digital camera or cell phone, it is possible to review feedback from other members and feedback from the provider when making the right health care choice. A sample provider review can be seen below.
Regence – a leader in data sharing
Regence is the first carrier to provide this type of data to members in the Pacific Northwest/Intermountain region, making Regence a ground-breaker in providing more information to our members in health care decision-making. Continuing with these efforts, Regence has also launched the enhanced provider profiles feature, which will include demographic information about providers as well as the providers' philosophy of care.
Enhanced provider profiles
Enhanced provider profiles allow our members to determine how well a doctor can meet their needs, whether they are accepting new patients, and their treatment philosophy. Without this information, it's easy to feel overwhelmed trying to choose a provider. Enhanced provider profiles provide the following info about providers:
- Their philosophy of treatment and their approach to care
- Their areas of expertise
- Whether they are accepting new patients
- Appointment availability: Do they offer appointments on the same day, weekends or evenings, or provide urgent care?
- How long they have been practicing
- Where they have hospital/facility privileges
- What types of patients they treat
- What languages they (or their staff) speak
- More about the doctor: a photograph, board certification, a selection of outcomes, designations and awards
Since launching enhanced provider profiles in November 2008, we already have received well over 5,000 enhanced provider profiles, and this number is growing daily. Want to check out an enhanced provider profile? See the screen shot below or type "Erik Bohlin, counseling" into the Quick Search Provider Search tool on myRegence.com.
If you have questions, please contact your local Regence Sales contact.
« Back to Communications
|
