PORTLAND -- Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon celebrated the signing of the National Railway Carriers and United Transportation Union account with a reception on June 23 in Portland, Oregon. UTU members under GA 23,000 and Class I railroads have the option of selecting Regence as a medical plan with coverage to be effective January 1, 2000.

Representing UTU at the event were Assistant President Byron Boyd, Executive Director of Finance Stu Collins, and Coordinator of Designated Legal Counsel Monte Bricker. Dennis Neilson and Bill Wick, UTU/Regence consultants, were also on hand, as were John D. Fitzgerald, general chairman, BNSF RR; and Chris Legghio, attorney at law.

Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon was represented by President and CEO Don Sacco, Senior Vice President of External Affairs and Chief Marketing Executive Randy Cline, Vice President of Marketing- Large Groups Tom Royalty, and UTU Railroad Unit Marketing Executives Gunther Hoffmann and Matt Davis.

"UTU searched throughout the country for a health plan and Regence was chosen because you are the best." Boyd told those in attendance.

Sacco told UTU: "We are proud to have been selected to serve UTU and its members. We appreciate the trust you have placed in us, and our staff is committed to live up to your expectations by providing the best in claims administration and customer service."

Benefits will be administered for UTU members across the U.S. through BlueCross and BlueShield’s nationwide BlueCard program. This is a cooperative agreement among BlueCross and BlueShield Plans which enables Regence to offer uniformity in benefit plans and claims administration to UTU, while giving their members access to local providers who are part of BlueCross BlueShield’s extensive provider network–the largest in the nation.

The new UTU benefit plan requires all eligible UTU members to make a choice regarding their health benefit. This choice must be made on the enrollment forms, which will be sent to the home of each member in late August. To enroll in the BlueCross BlueShield option, the member must choose Regence Life and Health by checking the box in the space provided. If the member elects not to return the enrollment form, they will be placed with their current vendor.

Regence Life and Health Insurance Company will be devoting the majority of time between now and January to building a dedicated Railroad Customer Service Unit for UTU members. This unit will be open August 15, 1999. The number for the new UTU Customer Service Unit will be 1-UTU-977-BLUE (2583). Please call this number if you have any questions.