ALLtech offers GeekWire members comprehensive health insurance with a choice of medical plans from Regence BlueShield. I talked with Claire Verity, President of Regence BlueShield, to learn more about Regence’s role in the partnership. Learn more at alltechbenefits.org.
Talia Aukema-Gray: Why is Regence BlueShield’s partnership with ALLtech exciting news for small to midsize tech companies in Washington?
Claire Verity: Washington is home to some of the most cutting-edge tech companies in the world. Our startup economy here has led to tech that has changed the world and continues to have an outsized impact on how people live and work. These innovative companies need innovative health care solutions. For a decade, Regence BlueShield and ALLtech have partnered to offer small to midsized companies comprehensive, affordable health insurance that helps these companies recruit and retain top talent.
Regence and ALLtech offer health benefit solutions that serve tech companies in their journey from startups with a handful of employees to midsize companies with 100 employees, and beyond.
Talia Aukema-Gray: How does Regence and ALLtech address the needs of small to midsize tech companies?
Claire Verity: We understand that no two companies are alike, and that’s reflected in our offerings. It’s all about choice, coverage, and cost.
On the choice front, we offer 22 unique Regence medical plans to choose from, with deductibles and other services that work for tech companies and their employees.
When it comes to coverage, Regence BlueShield’s network of medical providers is one of the broadest and strongest in the state. As a member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Regence also offers a robust national – and even international – network of providers for a company’s out-of-state employees through the BlueCard program.
As for cost, our strength in the market and longtime partnership with ALLtech means that health plans are the most cost-effective available, tailored specifically for small and midsized companies in the technology sector.
Talia Aukema-Gray: Telehealth and behavioral health are essential. What innovative services does Regence offer through ALLtech to keep tech employees connected to the care they need?
Claire Verity: Flexibility is key in today’s work environment, especially for tech employees who may be working remotely, on-site, or traveling. That’s why we’ve made sure that employees enrolled through ALLtech and Regence can access a provider whether they’re in the office, at home or on the go. Many members can even receive in-home, in-person urgent care from DispatchHealth. For virtual care on most plans, employees don’t have any co-pay.
Using virtual provider MDLive, employees have 24/7 access to primary care doctors who can diagnose and prescribe medications for non-emergency medical conditions; licensed counselors and psychiatrists to treat issues like stress or depression; dermatologists to diagnose skin, hair and nail conditions; and through a partnership with Boulder Care, virtual treatment for substance use disorder.
More broadly than virtual care, Regence is committed to improving access to behavioral health care to ensure our members get the care they need when and how it works best for them. In the past two years, we’ve added more than 1,500 behavioral health providers to our network in Washington. These include both virtual and in-person providers. Our service and clinical teams work closely with virtual providers to ensure Regence members can receive behavioral health care in less than seven days; the vast majority of members receive access within 48 hours.
Talia Aukema-Gray: Regence has a long history in Washington, going back more than 100 years. How does this legacy influence your approach to partnerships like the one with ALLtech?
Claire Verity: Regence has deep roots in Washington. We were founded in Tacoma in 1917, by timber workers who were looking to pool a percentage of their wages to help each other with medical expenses if they became sick or injured. We still operate with that spirit of neighbor helping neighbor more than a century later. Our legacy in Washington is strong because we know how to offer health benefits that meet the unique needs of our members.
We stand out because of our exceptional service, like our personalized member experience; exceptional partnership, like our innovative solutions; and exceptional value, like our strong provider network. This is value that we and ALLtech offer to every small and midsize tech company that wants to provide the best health benefit solutions for their employees.
We’re excited to continue serving the tech industry in Washington, and we look forward to supporting these companies—and their employees—for many years to come.
