BCBS healthcare option now to begin on September 1, 1999 as insurer requests more time to make transition smoother (11/13/98)

Explanation of the Administration of Health Care Benefits by
BlueCross BlueShield under the NRC/UTU Health & Welfare Plan.

If your health care benefits are administered by Regence Life and Health Insurance Company of Portland, Oregon, an independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association, the following information is very important to you in order to obtain maximum benefits under both the CHCB and MMCP programs.

For MMCP participants, to obtain maximum "in-network" MMCP benefits you should select only Preferred Providers from the BCBS provider directories. Preferred providers are those which have the PPO designation following their name and this will assure that you receive the "in-network" benefit for office visits and avoid any application of the "out-of-network" benefit level.

If you are covered under CHCB, your out-of-pocket expense can be reduced by utilizing any physician from the provider directory. Those physicians have a contractual arrangement with BCBS so that the 85% benefit of the CHCB program is based upon the amount charged by that physician. By utilizing a physician from the BCBS directory there is no dispute with regard to the "Reasonable and Customary Charges" which may result in additional out-of-pocket expense to you through physician balance billing. This is what BCBS refers to as "hold harmless".

The Regence Customer Service Team will answer any questions you may have with regard to benefits, status of claims or identification cards. Call toll-free 1-888-977-2583 or fax 1-503-276-1801. Also, all members are reminded to call the UTU International with any questions they may have regarding any of the Plan options or benefit providers under the NRC/UTU Plan or the National Health and Welfare Plan (formerly GA-23000).