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Premera Blue Cross is a leader in the insurance industry, and one of the key reasons for its success is its commitment to innovation. The company has developed a range of digital tools and services that make it easier for customers to access their health information and manage their care.
Premera's digital platform, for example, allows customers to view their medical claims, check their coverage, and even communicate with their healthcare providers online. This level of transparency and control has been a game-changer for many customers, who can now take a more active role in their health care.
By investing in cutting-edge technology, Premera is able to provide its customers with a better overall experience. The company's focus on innovation has helped it stay ahead of the curve and adapt to the changing needs of its customers.
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Full Benefits
Premera Blue Cross offers a range of health care plans with varying levels of coverage.
The full benefits of a Premera Blue Cross plan can be found in the Certificate of Coverage (COC), which provides an in-depth description of the health care benefits for each plan.
This document is essential for understanding what's covered and what's not, so be sure to review it carefully.
Premera Blue Cross provides comprehensive health care benefits through its plans, including coverage for doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription medications.
The COC is a valuable resource for navigating the intricacies of a Premera Blue Cross plan and making informed decisions about your health care.
Additional reading: Premera Blue Cross Lifewise
Challenge
The innovation team at Premera Blue Cross faced a challenge in gathering ideas from employees to solve customer pain points and bring healthcare into the 21st century.
They realized that the best ideas would likely come from employees, but there was no effective system in place to gather those ideas, collaborate across the organization, and find new, customer-centric opportunities.
The team wanted to give employees a voice, no matter their position or location in the company, but traditional suggestion boxes weren't an option due to the large remote workforce.
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Mountlake Terrace-Based Cuts 285 Jobs
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Premera Blue Cross, a health insurer based in Mountlake Terrace, has cut 285 jobs due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.
The layoff represents about 8.3% of Premera's workforce, which is a significant number considering the company employs nearly 3,500 people in the Seattle area, Spokane, and Anchorage.
Most of the job cuts occurred locally, with 236 positions eliminated in the Puget Sound region.
The company has offered generous severance packages and access to outplacement services to help employees through this difficult transition.
Premera's decision to cut jobs was prompted by the need to reduce costs and pass savings on to customers, as the pandemic has made affordability a major barrier to receiving quality care.
The company has been working from home since the pandemic struck full force in March, and the economic downturn has forced them to take more drastic measures to stay afloat.
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Driving Innovation to Solve Customer Pain Points
Driving innovation to solve customer pain points is a challenge many companies face. Premera Blue Cross was no exception, with a large remote workforce that made traditional suggestion boxes ineffective.
The innovation team at Premera Blue Cross realized that the best ideas would likely come from its employees, but there was no system in place to gather those ideas and collaborate across the organization. This made it difficult to find new customer-centric opportunities.
The company had a strong battle cry to unleash innovation and put customers at the center of everything they do, but they needed a way to give all employees a voice, no matter their position or location. With a large remote workforce, traditional suggestion boxes just weren't an option.
Premera Blue Cross chose the Planview IdeaPlace innovation management solution to enable companywide participation in innovation. This allowed them to engage employees across four campuses, as well as telecommuters, in the innovation process.
The company-wide launch of IdeaPlace generated nearly 450 fresh ideas over six weeks and participation from 73 percent of employees. This shows that with the right tools and approach, employees can be a valuable source of innovative ideas.
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Solution
Premera Blue Cross chose the Planview IdeaPlace innovation management solution to engage employees across four campuses and telecommuters in the innovation process. This allowed the company to easily facilitate a company-wide launch of IdeaPlace.
The company-wide launch of IdeaPlace generated nearly 450 fresh ideas over six weeks. This is a significant number, demonstrating the potential of a well-implemented innovation management solution.
Premera Blue Cross achieved participation from 73 percent of its employees, showing the effectiveness of the Planview IdeaPlace solution in engaging a large and diverse workforce.
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UW Medicine Agreement
The UW Medicine agreement is a big deal for Premera members. They can continue to receive care at UW Medicine without any disruption.
Premera Blue Cross and UW Medicine worked together to reach this agreement, which is effective July 1, 2023. This shows that even in a rapidly changing healthcare environment, organizations can collaborate to achieve a shared goal.
The agreement balances fair compensation for UW Medicine with continued access to affordable care for Premera members. It's a win-win situation for everyone involved.
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Premera Blue Cross is a leading health plan in the Pacific Northwest, providing comprehensive health benefits to over 2.75 million people. UW Medicine, on the other hand, is one of the top-rated academic health systems in the world.
The agreement applies to all Premera lines of business, including commercial, individual, student insurance, and Medicare Advantage. This means that Premera members can rest assured that they'll have access to high-quality care at UW Medicine.
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Solution
To drive a culture of innovation, Premera Blue Cross chose the Planview IdeaPlace solution to engage employees across four campuses and telecommuters. This solution was chosen to easily engage employees in the innovation process.
Premera Blue Cross used IdeaPlace to generate nearly 450 fresh ideas over six weeks, which is a remarkable outcome. The company-wide launch of IdeaPlace saw participation from 73 percent of employees.
The innovation team at Premera decided to think outside of the box to leverage technology and marketing to drive a culture change at the company. This approach was necessary to give everyone a voice and a platform to share their wisdom.
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Process
Premera Blue Cross has a large network of healthcare providers, with over 90% of hospitals and 85% of physicians in the state of Washington participating in their network.
The company also offers a variety of health insurance plans, including individual and family plans, group plans, and Medicare supplement plans.
Premera Blue Cross has a strong focus on preventive care, with programs in place to encourage members to get regular check-ups and screenings.
Their website allows members to access their account information, pay bills, and find in-network providers online.
Premera Blue Cross also offers a range of tools and resources to help members manage their healthcare, including a health risk assessment and a medication management program.
Their customer service team is available to answer questions and provide support to members 24/7.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Premera the same as Blue Cross?
Premera Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, but it's not the same as the national Blue Cross organization. It's a separate entity serving specific regions, including Alaska and Washington State.
What type of plan is Premera Blue Cross?
Premera Blue Cross offers marketplace insurance health plans with various coverage options. Enroll now for 2025 and find the best plan for you and your family.
Is Premera any good?
Premera Blue Cross has received numerous complaints about denied claims and poor customer service, suggesting it may not be a reliable insurance option. Many reviewers have reported frustrating experiences with the company, even for routine and essential medical care.
What is the best health insurance in Washington State?
In Washington State, top-rated health insurance carriers include United World, Cigna, USAA, and Premera, offering comprehensive Medigap plans like Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N. Plan F is a popular choice for seniors, while Plan G is often preferred by new Medicare members.
Sources
- https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/pebb-virtual-benefits-fair/premera-blue-cross
- https://newsroom.uw.edu/news-releases/premera-blue-cross-uw-medicine-reach-agreement
- https://www.planview.com/resources/case-study/premera-blue-cross/
- https://www.heraldnet.com/business/mountlake-terrace-based-health-insurer-premera-cuts-285-jobs/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premera_Blue_Cross
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