01/13/2010
Letter from Jonathan Hensley — Boeing Announcement
We have some important news to share with you regarding one of our accounts.
Like many companies, Boeing has evolved over the past several years to meet the changing demands of an increasingly competitive global marketplace. This includes a decision nine years ago to move its headquarters from Seattle to Chicago.
As specified by Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association rules, the Plan where a business is headquartered serves as the controlling (or home) Plan to administer a company's health care benefits. Our sister Plan, BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois (BCBSIL), has been poised for several years to assume control of this account. Because of our nearly 80-year history with Boeing, coupled with outstanding customer service, we have continued to serve as the home Plan since 2001 despite Boeing's move to Chicago.
Boeing put its health care insurance business out to competitive bid last fall. BCBSIL, a subsidiary of Health Care Services Corporation, submitted a bid on behalf of the Blues. Despite steep competition from some of the toughest national carriers in the business, we are proud that Boeing has chosen to stay with the Blues; BCBSIL will administer its health care benefits after the current contract with Regence expires at the end of 2010.
As part of the contract with BCBSIL, Regence will play the lead role in providing host Plan services (BlueCard® and network services) to Boeing's 125,000 employees and retirees in our service area. These members will continue to use our networks, and we will process their claims through BlueCard agreements.
We are committed to providing the high level of service Boeing has come to expect from us throughout the terms of our contract, which includes a claims run-out period for several months after the end of the year.
We are proud of the service that we have provided to Boeing's employees and their families over the years, and we will continue to focus that expertise on the more than 19,000 employers and one million members that we serve throughout the state of Washington.
Regence BlueShield has a strong financial and market position, and this will not change. Our financial strength and stability has enabled us to serve the Washington market for nearly a century. As Boeing members move to a new carrier, we expect to welcome new members as we continue to both grow our business and strengthen our focus on our current customers.
M. Jonathan Hensley, President
Regence BlueShield
« Back to Communications
|
