
Blog

Across the nation, communities will gather this month to celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Many ...
January 15, 2021

Technology and COVID-19 are center stage at State of Reform
Above: Dr. Jim Polo of Regence (upper right) discusses behavioral health at this month’s State of Reform conference, along with ...
January 14, 2021

The COVID-19 vaccine has arrived. Here’s what you need to know.
Nurse Sandra Lindsay made history as the first American to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 14, 2020, marking a critical ...
January 08, 2021

Feeling sad or depressed this holiday season? You’re not alone.
Even in the best of years, the fall and winter months can be an emotionally challenging time for many people. Feelings of ...
December 28, 2020

Q&A: Sock It to Me on supporting people and communities ‘two feet at a time’
As our community continues to face historic challenges on many fronts, we’ve also seen organizations and people step up in 2020 ...
December 18, 2020

Practicing vigilance and resilience in the winter of COVID-19
One of the takeaways from this year’s GeekWire Summit is that the health care industry is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic ...
December 16, 2020

The FDA has OK’d the COVID-19 vaccine. Now what?
You’ve been waiting, and now the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Pfizer’s emergency use authorization for its ...
December 14, 2020

The flu or COVID-19: Can you tell the difference?
This winter, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues during the normal flu season, how will you know which virus you may have should ...
December 08, 2020

The power of a pair of socks: Regence partners with Sock it to Me to help vulnerable communities this winter
Every winter, socks and underwear are among the most requested items from nonprofits. These same community organizations expect ...
December 07, 2020

What if you’re exposed to COVID-19 over the holidays?
As the holiday travel season arrives, COVID-19 cases nationwide are spiking at an alarming rate. Could there be a more ...
December 02, 2020

Trying to quit smoking is hard enough in good times, let alone in the COVID-19 era—the ACS can help
Since 1977, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has sponsored the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday in November to ...
November 19, 2020

Nation sees significant decrease in childhood vaccinations during COVID-19 era, new report shows
A new report shows that a result of delayed medical care from the COVID-19 pandemic is potentially creating another long-term ...
November 18, 2020

CDC reports concerning trend of rising rates of diabetes in children under age 20
Diabetes is a serious and chronic condition that can cause other health issues, such as kidney disease, heart disease, nerve ...
November 17, 2020

Election 2020: What we know today
This was an historic election with record-setting voter turnout. In fact, more Americans voted in 2020 – and voted by mail – ...
November 16, 2020

Honoring veterans in 2020: Virtual employee celebration and serving those who served our nation
As part of a larger effort to stay safe and slow the spread of COVID-19 this winter, Regence employees celebrated Veterans Day ...
November 11, 2020

Holiday travel: Keep your loved ones safe this winter as COVID-19 spreads
You might want to consider a few things before you head over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house for the ...
November 09, 2020

When health care works: A story of caregiving and hope
Imagine waking up one morning unable to move your toes due to an unexpected health condition. Overnight your life has changed ...
November 04, 2020

Beyond coping with COVID: How to find joy in an uncertain holiday season
Along with bringing joy, festivity and family connectedness to our lives, the holidays can raise our stress or highlight our ...
November 02, 2020

Regence at the GeekWire Summit: How the pandemic is changing health care
For three years, Regence has sponsored the Health Tech Stage at the GeekWire Summit, helping lead discussion on how the economy ...
October 30, 2020

‘Make your mammogram a priority’ – breast cancer survivor Jodi Jones shares tips for navigating a difficult diagnosis
Oct. 1, 2018 is forever etched in the mind of Jodi Jones as the day she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Jones, who works at ...
October 29, 2020

Ambitious national health study invites participants to help advance medical breakthroughs
The National Institutes of Health's All of Us Program seeks 1 million people to contribute health data for the most diverse ...
October 27, 2020

Staying safe and stopping the spread of COVID-19 this fall and winter
COVID fatigue is real. Months of working from home, navigating online school, physical distancing and more to stay safe and ...
October 23, 2020

With COVID-19 on the rise, staying safe is a team sport
Experts remind us we are still in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as communities loosen restrictions, infections ...
October 22, 2020

Don’t be the dealer – dispose of unwanted medications
Pain medications are the single most frequent cause of accidental poisoning fatalities in children younger than 6 years old, ...
October 21, 2020

42,000 women and 500 men estimated to die in 2020 due to breast cancer; preventative care and early detection key for all of us
Chances are you know someone who’s faced breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), women in the U.S. have ...
October 21, 2020

5 common flu shot myths, debunked
Trick or treat? Many people still get tricked by flu shot myths and skip the vaccination altogether—but our medical directors ...
October 14, 2020

Scott Seymour named vice president of network management and provider partnership innovation at Regence
Scott Seymour has joined Regence health plans as vice president of network management and provider partnership innovation. ...
October 13, 2020

Halloween isn’t canceled; expert tips for celebrating during COVID-19
Halloween is full of traditions — costume creation, pumpkin carving, spooky decorations, candy collecting, harvest festivals ...
October 12, 2020
Regence BlueShield offers 2021 Medicare plans to meet diverse care needs, budgets and lifestyles
Regence BlueShield has proudly served Washingtonians for 103 years as a local, tax-paying, not-for-profit health plan. For 2021 ...
October 08, 2020

Four steps to build resilience in times of uncertainty
A pandemic, social unrest, natural disasters, financial uncertainty and a contentious presidential election have all converged ...
September 25, 2020

Public service campaign ‘Stop Medical Distancing’ encourages people to get needed care for long-term health
In an effort to encourage our members and the broader community to safely seek out health care, Regence is proud to support the ...
September 21, 2020

Protect yourself and others with a flu shot this year during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic
The normal flu season, which takes place October through April, may be different this year given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. ...
September 18, 2020

Expanding access to hearing aids helps people overcome much more than hearing disability
As a child with hearing loss Jen Tschirpke was fortunate that she didn’t have to worry about getting new hearing aids. ...
September 15, 2020

Tips for minimizing your exposure to wildfire smoke
The west coast of the U.S. currently has some of the worst air quality in the world caused by the unprecedented spread of ...
September 11, 2020

When a natural disaster strikes, Regence is here to support your care needs
If you’re being evacuated from your home during a natural disaster, accessing your prescriptions is probably not top of mind. ...
September 09, 2020

Regence partnership offers new support for managing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
The near constant reminders to wash hands, physically distance, wear masks and wipe down frequently used surfaces can help keep ...
August 31, 2020

Proliance Surgeons’ CEO discusses how value-based care delivers personalized, effective treatments for patients
Better health outcomes, lower costs, higher patient satisfaction—value-based arrangements (VBAs) with health care providers ...
August 27, 2020

‘I would have lost my home’: Habitat for Humanity home repair program helps seniors age in place
The COVID-19 pandemic has created extreme challenges for people and families across the country, especially communities of ...
August 21, 2020

Michelle Obama says she has ‘low-grade depression;’ can you relate?
A global pandemic. Civic unrest. National division ahead of fall’s elections.
It’s no wonder Michelle Obama says she has ...
August 06, 2020

From dental care to COVID-19 testing: how one nonprofit adapted to serve urgent community needs
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, many organizations faced difficult decisions to cut or dramatically alter ...
August 05, 2020

Untangling COVID-19 testing: What you need to know
***Updated Aug. 3, 2020***
The topic of COVID-19 testing is all over the news lately. It's easy to get confused. Here’s what ...
August 03, 2020

Virtual resources, tablets and other technology help fight loneliness for communities in need
The effects of prolonged self-isolation to help slow the spread of COVID-19 have been felt by many. This is especially true for ...
July 29, 2020

Make summer get-togethers fun and safe during COVID-19
For many people, July and August usually mean social events like barbecues, leisurely get-togethers, family reunions and ...
July 27, 2020

American Cancer Society releases new dietary guidelines to reduce cancer risk
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the U.S., exceeded only by heart disease. As this disease impacts millions of ...
July 24, 2020

Chronic conditions associated with colon cancer on the rise, especially among millennials
A new study released by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) shows a substantial increase in the prevalence of known ...
July 23, 2020

Connecting Regence BlueShield members in Washington to mental health care
Mental health and physical health are closely connected and can affect one another in multiple ways. Everyday stress, anxiety, ...
July 20, 2020

Anticipating treatments for COVID-19: A conversation with a Regence clinical pharmacist
As worldwide efforts continue to find a COVID-19 vaccine and treatments for the virus, Regence is hard at work on assessing the ...
July 15, 2020

What’s your UV IQ? Learn how you can be safe in the sun
As the summer weather warms up and people begin leaving their homes more, it’s important to take precautions when enjoying time ...
July 07, 2020

Maternal health trends in America: here’s what you need to know
Millions of women give birth each year and most have healthy pregnancies and problem-free births. However, a recent study from ...
June 18, 2020

Regence is committed to transgender care
At Regence, we believe everyone should have access to affordable, high-quality health care regardless of race, color, national ...
June 18, 2020

Simple, sustainable habits can improve your health
Most people know that eating right and exercising are essential for staying fit and a healthy lifestyle. The challenge for many ...
June 18, 2020

In these unprecedented times, is your social drinking becoming risky?
Across the country, alcohol sales escalated during the coronavirus pandemic. While the trend may have been partially related to ...
June 10, 2020

Habitat for Humanity improves lives in Seattle through housing
Housing costs in King County, which includes Seattle, continue to rise faster than people’s incomes. More than 100,000 families ...
June 10, 2020

A message from our CEO on dismantling racism and brutality in all its forms
Regence stands with our community as we share the grief and outrage so many feel after the brutal killing of George Floyd in ...
June 08, 2020

What to ask your provider when you go back for the medical and dental treatment you need
When COVID-19 cases stabilize or decline to the point that communities and businesses are able to safely reopen, it’s also the ...
June 08, 2020

Masks help slow COVID-19 spread. Here's how to use them correctly.
Businesses, restaurants, parks and more are beginning to ease their restrictions and allow people to resume normal activities ...
June 03, 2020

Community, connection and Mental Health Month in May
Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, according to the National Institute of Mental ...
May 29, 2020

New Regence COVID-19 symptom checker available
Symptoms associated with COVID-19 are varied. As medical professionals treat more patients with the virus, new symptoms are ...
May 26, 2020

Working together to provide a safe haven for all: A conversation with Mary’s Place
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a profound impact on the lives of individuals, families and organizations. Nonprofits ...
May 22, 2020

Ensuring quality of life while social distancing for those managing serious illness
Hard to believe that just a few months ago, no one had ever heard of social distancing. While a difficult adjustment for many, ...
May 19, 2020

COVID-19: How to engage in healthy social connection while socially distancing
Building healthy social connections is important than ever right now, says Regence BlueShield’s Behavioral Health Medical ...
March 31, 2020

Regence helps dedicate Mobile Teaching Kitchen in Tacoma
Regence BlueShield, Metro Parks Tacoma and other Tacoma leaders turned out last weekend to dedicate an innovative and ...
March 10, 2020

Regence’s Dr. Oliveira shares tips to protect yourself and others from coronavirus (COVID-19)
As of Feb. 27, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports there are more than 82,000 cases of COVID-19, the official ...
February 27, 2020

Regence partners with Metro Parks Tacoma on healthy eating with Mobile Teaching Kitchen
Slated to be on the streets in early March, the custom-built trailer will visit neighborhoods, senior centers, schools and ...
February 25, 2020

Regence leads conversation at Washington State of Reform
Hundreds of health care industry leaders from around the state attended the conference, which focused on bridging the gap ...
January 17, 2020

Community Action of Skagit County helps families overcome homelessness, gain financial security and secure permanent housing
Main image: Community Action of Skagit County’s family shelter is one of many housing options offered to families in need. ...
November 26, 2019

Tacoma Rescue Mission finds success treating homelessness and addiction with New Life Program
Regence believes that every partnership we cultivate, every dollar we pledge and every hour we volunteer make the communities ...
November 04, 2019
Regence BlueShield expands availability of 2020 Medicare Advantage plans, offers more high-quality options and benefits to meet diverse health care needs and budgets
During Medicare’s annual election period, occurring now through Dec. 7*, people shopping for Medicare coverage options will ...
October 25, 2019

Regence fosters health care collaboration at GeekWire Summit
The second annual Regence Health Tech Track at the GeekWire Summit in Seattle brought together the country’s leading health ...
October 10, 2019
Washington health plan members will get direct communications in 2020
Members of Washington state-based health insurance plans will get personalized communications starting in 2020 as part of a ...
October 01, 2019

Regence medical director Dr. Drew Oliveira discusses measles outbreak and vaccine effectiveness
Dr. Drew Oliveira, Regence BlueShield’s senior executive medical director, recently joined Q13 FOX to discuss the history of ...
September 11, 2019

Regence’s Dr. Drew Oliveira joins Q13 FOX TV to share expertise on skin health and protection
Knowing how to protect your skin during the sunny summer month, or any time of year, is important for preventing skin cancer ...
August 08, 2019

Dr. Drew Oliveira discusses surprising trends in millennial health on Portland Business Journal’s Thought Leadership podcast
This month Dr. Drew Oliveira, senior executive medical director at Regence BlueShield, was featured in the Portland Business ...
July 18, 2019

Mary’s Place, Regence partner to expand health services to Seattle’s homeless families
The Seattle-King County metro area has the third-highest number of people experiencing homelessness in the country, behind only ...
June 10, 2019

Hood to Coast Washington: Fostering team and community building through fitness
Hood to Coast Washington isn’t just about health and wellness through fitness. It’s also about teamwork, creativity and fun. ...
June 06, 2019

Community Action opens center supporting Skagit Valley veterans
Skagit Vets Connect is part of Community Action’s mission to help individuals and families find the tools and support they need ...
May 29, 2019

Habitat for Humanity of Seattle – King County helps seniors age in place
Because affordable housing plays a vital role in strong, healthy communities, Regence BlueShield is partnering with Habitat for ...
May 16, 2019
Washington first state to approve a public option
On April 27, Washington became the first state in the country to approve a public option plan for the individual market. A ...
April 29, 2019

Regence ranked #1 PPO plan in Washington state
Good news for our members, providers, and community members in Washington state: Regence BlueShield was named the top PPO ...
April 26, 2019

Regence employee shares her story of personal resilience at the annual WA Healthy Worksite Summit
Recently, Chera delivered a keynote presentation at the 32nd annual Healthy Worksite Summit, which took place in Lynnwood, ...
April 05, 2019

Regence volunteers featured at Habitat for Humanity luncheon
Regence BlueShield is proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity on increasing access to affordable homeownership for ...
March 06, 2019

Mary’s Place set to open new shelter for families and address myriad health needs
The nonprofit is set to open its ninth shelter in late March, which is expected to help 300 families move into permanent ...
February 28, 2019

Measles: Washington declares state of emergency; how you can protect yourself and your children
While the measles virus is largely eliminated in the United States due to effective vaccinations, there have been several ...
February 12, 2019

Regence leaders explore issues at State of Reform conference in Seattle
Regence was proud to be a sponsor of this month’s State of Reform conference in Seattle. More than 800 health care industry ...
January 25, 2019

Regence and University of Washington Medicine partner to help reduce a patient’s chronic pain; improving health through personalized, coordinated care
Imagine a lifetime of ear infections with pain growing so severe that suicide seems like the only relief. Related health issues ...
December 20, 2018

Building a Stronger Relationship Through Service with Habitat for Humanity Seattle – King County
On a foggy October morning, teams from Master Builders Association (MBA), Capital Business Solutions (CBS), and Regence ...
November 09, 2018

GeekWire Summit Recap: Stars of the Regence Health Tech Stage
The 2018 GeekWire Summit in Seattle welcomed technologists across industries for three days of thought-provoking talks, and ...
October 12, 2018

Regence and Walgreens partner for safe medication disposal kiosks in Washington
Regence BlueShield is sponsoring 13 safe medication disposal kiosks in Walgreens stores. It’s another key effort in Regence’s ...
June 20, 2018

2nd Annual Regence Hood to Coast Washington 2018: Enduring power of teamwork
I recently participated in the 2nd Annual Hood to Coast Washington relay race: 12 legs over 77 scenic miles starting at Lake ...
June 14, 2018

Employee Impact: Tackling hunger one person at a time
For Chris Blanton, President, Consumer Health and Life Insurance at Regence BlueShield, helping combat hunger in the Seattle ...
June 07, 2018

Regence Partners with Answer2Cancer to Empower Cancer Patients
Regence joined an elite group of sponsors at this year’s Answer2Cancer (A2C) event on Saturday, April 7th, a patient education ...
April 30, 2018

Regence Honors Customer Service Heroes
Regence recently celebrated the remarkable people on the front lines helping our members navigate their health journeys through ...
April 27, 2018

Employee impact: Camp Fire developed my leadership skills
For Kathy Jones, director of employer implementation at Regence BlueShield, Camp Fire helped develop her leadership skills.
February 01, 2018

Regence BlueShield’s Commercial PPO plan achieves NCQA “Commendable” accreditation status
The NCQA accreditation status for our Washington-based Commercial PPO plan was raised to Commendable, based on our HEDIS health ...
September 21, 2017

"The Happiest Fellers": Regence history featured in Seattle Business Magazine
Regence is rooted in our commitment to our community.
September 12, 2017

Hood to Coast Washington 2017: Teamwork, community and values
This blog is a guest post from Leslie Constans, a Regence employee and relay team member in the innaugural Hood to Coast ...
July 06, 2017

It starts with a hug: Regence and Mary's Place
Regence supports Mary’s Place—a day center and family shelter that helps homeless women, children, and families get back on ...
June 05, 2017

Faces of Fearless winner - Regence BlueShield
Read the winning story submission for Faces of Fearless from Regence BlueShield.
May 26, 2017

Leadership Changes at Regence
This week, Don Antonucci has made the decision to resign from his role as President of Regence BlueShield to pursue an ...
March 15, 2017

New law recognizes Washington pharmacists as medical providers
If you are under a doctor’s care for management of a chronic illness, you now have another resource to help with your care.
December 13, 2016

Ending unnecessary waste through value-based care
Don Antonucci, President of Regence BlueShield, shares his thoughts on value-based care with Seattle Business Magazine.
October 13, 2016

Regence Palliative Care Explores Provider Cultural Sensitivity with 2-Day Conference
Regence is excited to invite providers to our first ever Navigating Cultural Differences: Palliative Medicine Provider ...
August 30, 2016

Finding Solutions for a Broken System
Last night the Cambia Grove hosted a Reverse Pitch Day with anchor partners, Regence, UW Medicine and MultiCare Health System.
March 15, 2016

Recognizing the 2016 Leaders in Health Care
On Thursday, February 26th Regence was the proud presenting sponsor of Seattle Business Magazine's Leaders in Health Care ...
February 29, 2016

Some Washington pharmacists qualify as health-care providers
If you are under a doctor’s care for management of a chronic illness, you now have another resource to help with your care.
December 15, 2015

Regence BlueShield, a leading force in the fight against cancer
On Thursday, November 5th Regence BlueShield joined the American Cancer Society and other local companies for the 11th annual ...
November 09, 2015

Top 5 health care industry issues and trends going into 2016
President of Regence BlueShield of Washington, Don Antonucci, discusses the top five health care industry issues and trends ...
September 17, 2015

Celebrating Seattle’s nonprofits at Generocity event
Seattle’s second annual Generocity event showcased 40+ local nonprofits that are making a difference locally and abroad.
June 11, 2015

The importance of transparency and quality: a conversation with health care leaders
On June 4th, Don Antonucci was invited to participate in a panel discussion hosted by The Rainier Club entitled “The Business ...
June 04, 2015

Premera cyber attack
Premera, a health plan in the Pacific Northwest, announced a cyber attack earlier this year resulting in unauthorized access to ...
May 21, 2015

Stronger together: Regence BlueShield kicks off accountable care roadshow
Regence kicked off the first of its ActiveCare accountable care network roadshows yesterday with an onsite visit to ...
May 20, 2015

Helping to dance our way to a cure through the Seattle Urban Trek
This weekend, Regence had the honor and pleasure of sponsoring the Seattle Urban Trek, hosted by the Seattle Sports Commission. ...
April 28, 2015

Colorectal cancer: Our commitment to help reach 80% by 2018
Colorectal cancer (colon cancer) is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer and second most common cause of cancer death for ...
April 10, 2015

Premera cyber attack update
Premera, a health plan in the Pacific Northwest, announced a cyber attack resulting in unauthorized access to Premera’s ...
April 08, 2015

The importance of collaboration and innovation: KCTS 9’s screening of Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies
Do you think a cure is out there waiting to be discovered? This question was at the core of KCTS 9’s event screening of Cancer: ...
March 18, 2015

Premera cyber attack
On March 17, Premera, a health plan in the Pacific Northwest, announced a cyberattack resulting in unauthorized access to ...
March 17, 2015

Health care leaders agree: A focus on health care transparency will improve the customer experience
This week I had the honor of participating in a panel discussion on transparency during Puget Sound Business Journal’s Health ...
March 04, 2015

Regence reaches deal with CHI Franciscan Harrison Medical Center and Harrison HealthPartners
I’m pleased to announce that Regence has reached a deal with CHI Franciscan Harrison Medical Center on a new contract providing ...
February 17, 2015

Providing high quality, affordable care with ActiveCare
Based on the learnings and successes of nearly 50 collaborative care agreements across our four-state footprint, Regence has ...
January 22, 2015