The Connection OnlineSM
Online articles and news for physicians,
other health care professionals and facilities.The Connection Online
November 2008
Welcome to our first issue
We value your time and are dedicated to streamlining our printed and online communications. The printed edition of The ConnectionSM (PDF) continues to include important information for you and your office staff. The Connection Online offers additional news and articles not found in the printed issue. We hope you find The Connection Online to be a helpful, supplemental resource. Our newsletters are published quarterly in February, May, August and November. Have feedback? Contact Provider Communications.
Administrative and Billing Updates 
Helpful tips to avoid claims delays
Regence continually looks for ways to ensure your claims are processed quickly and efficiently. These tips generally apply to claims submitted using a CMS-1500 claim form. However, some of the tips are valuable reminders for all paper and electronic claims. Read the helpful tips to avoid claims delays »
Medical Policies
Please join our medical policy discussions
We would like your input and feedback as we draft our medical policies. It's easy to join our email reviewer list. Simply complete our request form.
While we prefer to receive input as policies are developed, we also have a formal appeals process that allows physicians, other health care professionals and facilities to submit additional information, such as clinical trial results, that may warrant a policy review. Our Administrative Manual outlines our current appeals process and new appeals process effective January 15, 2009.
Medicare
Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
With the advent of Medicare Advantage several years ago, new Medicare plans have been introduced, including a Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plan. Unlike the similarly named "Medicare fee-for-service," PFFS plans are created and administered by health plans. Learn more about Medicare PFFS plans »
News
Improving hospital patient safety
Regence shares your desire to have your patients receive the best care and the most positive outcomes possible. The following hospital comparison tools are available to help you select hospitals for your patients: Read more about hospital comparison tools »
Regence holiday closure schedule
The following holidays will be observed by the closure of all Regence offices: View our office closure schedules »
Products and Networks
Member card enhancements coming
As part of our ongoing efforts to include important and helpful information on our member cards, we are adding additional information to our InnovaSM, EngageSM and ActivateSM member cards. Learn more about member card changes »
Pharmacy
Updates to medication policies and list
Medication policies
Summaries of recent changes (PDF) and detailed policies are available in our Medication Policy Manual.
Preferred Medication List/Formulary (PML)
View our Preferred Medication List/Formulary (PML) in alphabetical order or by therapeutic class.
Important information about Synagis®
Synagis®, available through McKesson Specialty Pharmacy, treats infants at risk for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Read more about the benefits of ordering Synagis with McKesson Specialty Pharmacy »
Consider generics when possible
With the price of pharmaceuticals continuing to rise, here are some tips to help contain these costs: Learn more about methods to control pharmacy costs »
TriWest
Behavioral health resources available for U.S. military patients
To support your care to U.S. military members and their families, TriWest has added a behavioral health portal to the TriWest Web site. Read more about TriWest's behavioral health resources »