August 2008 Medicare Supplement Renewal
The following letters were mailed to members on June 30, 2008:
To members on 3 age bands:
June 2008
Dear Member:
We appreciate the opportunity to meet your health care coverage needs—and we’re glad to have you as a member of the Regence community.
Knowing that you pay for coverage out of your own pocket, we are sensitive to the impact that rates have on your budget. That’s why we wanted to give you plenty of notice that your rate will go up as of August 1, 2008. Please see the enclosed endorsement for your new rate. Also, keep in mind that if you change to a new age band this year (if your birthday this year puts you into a new rate category), your rate will also go up at that time.
Why do rates go up? Increasing use of services and advancing technology are just two of the answers. In short, when the cost of care goes up, the cost of coverage goes up. These rising costs are a challenge that we are all facing together.
While we continue to work on containing the cost of health care, we also continue to develop programs and services that increase the value of your premium dollar. Visit our Web site at www.regence.com/UT/products/medicare/advantages.jsp to discover discounts on many services, including prescription drugs at 50,000 pharmacies nationwide, fitness memberships, eyeglasses, hearing aid services and more.
Another example is the programs and tools found on myRegence.com, a members-only site designed to help you navigate the health care system. We believe that when you have the resources to lead a healthier lifestyle and make more informed health decisions, everyone benefits.
If you want to talk to someone here about your rate increase, please call us. You can reach us at 1 (800) 624-6519. Again, we understand that rising health care costs are difficult for everyone. That’s why the entire Regence community is working hard to control the cost of health care. We look forward to continuing to serve your coverage needs in the coming year.
Sincerely,
Kami Shoemaker
Director, Customer Service
To members on 13 age bands:
June 2008
Dear Member:
We appreciate the opportunity to meet your health care coverage needs—and we’re glad to have you as a member of the Regence community.
Knowing that you pay for coverage out of your own pocket, we are sensitive to the impact that rates have on your budget. That’s why we wanted to give you plenty of notice that your rate will go up as of August 1, 2008. Please see the enclosed endorsement for your new rate.
Why do rates go up? Increasing use of services and advancing technology are just two of the answers. In short, when the cost of care goes up, the cost of coverage goes up. These rising costs are a challenge that we are all facing together.
While we continue to work on containing the cost of health care, we also continue to develop programs and services that increase the value of your premium dollar. Visit our Web site at www.regence.com/UT/products/medicare/advantages.jsp to discover discounts on many services, including prescription drugs at 50,000 pharmacies nationwide, fitness memberships, eyeglasses, hearing aid services and more.
Another example is the programs and tools found on myRegence.com, a members-only site designed to help you navigate the health care system. We believe that when you have the resources to lead a healthier lifestyle and make more informed health decisions, everyone benefits.
If you want to talk to someone here about your rate increase, please call us. You can reach us at 1 (800) 624-6519. Again, we understand that rising health care costs are difficult for everyone. That’s why the entire Regence community is working hard to control the cost of health care. We look forward to continuing to serve your coverage needs in the coming year.
Sincerely,
Kami Shoemaker
Director, Customer Service
Medicare Supplement Rates effective August 1, 2008 (PDF)
Note: There was no increase in the rates for Plans H, I and J.
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