We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners.
Regence Medicare Advantage 2024 Review
Regence offers multiple types of low- or no-cost Medicare Advantage plans, but its ratings are below average.
Alex Rosenberg Lead Writer | Medicare, health care, legislation
Alex Rosenberg is a NerdWallet writer focusing on Medicare and information technology. He has more than 10 years of experience researching and writing about health care, insurance, technology, data privacy and public policy. His research has supported lawmakers in the Wisconsin State Legislature as well as health systems and national health authorities in the U.S. and more than 10 other countries. He is based in Stoughton, Wisconsin.
Holly Carey joined NerdWallet in 2021 as an editor on the team responsible for expanding content to additional topics within personal finance. She currently leads the Medicare team. Previously, Holly wrote and edited content and developed digital media strategies as a public affairs officer for the U.S. Navy. She is based in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
You’re following Alex Rosenberg Visit your My NerdWallet Settings page to see all the writers you're following.
CMS Star RatingAverage Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment. Star ratings are determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Regence sells HMO and PPO plans with premiums as low as $0, but its ratings from CMS are below average.
Members in high-rated plansPercentage of members who are in rated contracts with a Medicare star rating of 4 or higher.
Low (49% or less)
Member experienceThe average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Health Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
2.84 (Below average)
Pros
PPO and HMO plans have premiums as low as $0.
Some plans have allowances for extras like eyeglasses and health and wellness items.
Cons
Few Regence members are in plans rated highly by CMS.
Member experience scores are below average.
States available
4 states
Members in high-rated plansPercentage of members who are in rated contracts with a Medicare star rating of 4 or higher.
Low (49% or less)
Member experienceThe average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Health Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
2.84 (Below average)
Pros
PPO and HMO plans have premiums as low as $0.
Some plans have allowances for extras like eyeglasses and health and wellness items.
Cons
Few Regence members are in plans rated highly by CMS.
Member experience scores are below average.
Regence Medicare Advantage plans are available in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Utah. The company’s ratings are below average, but it offers both HMO and PPO plans with premiums as low as $0.
Here’s what you should know about Regence Medicare Advantage.
Regence Medicare Advantage pros and cons
Regence Medicare Advantage plans have advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
Multiple $0 plan types: Regence offers both HMO and PPO plans with premiums as low as $0.
Allowances for extras: Some Regence plans include allowances to help pay for extras such as eyeglasses and over-the-counter health and wellness items.
Cons
Few members in highly rated plans: Fewer than 1 in 10 Regence members are in plans rated 4 stars or higher by CMS.
Member experience: Average ratings for member experience, including factors such as care coordination and customer service, are below average.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) releases annual star ratings that rank Medicare plans from best (5 stars) to worst (1 star). The agency’s ratings are based on data measuring plans’ quality of care and customer satisfaction.
Based on the most recent year of data and weighted by enrollment, Regence Medicare Advantage plans get an average overall 2024 star rating of 3.43 stars
Even as a Medicare Advantage user, you’ll still be responsible for paying your Medicare Part B premium, which is $174.70 per month in 2024, although some plans cover part or all of this cost
Requirements for copays, coinsurance and deductibles vary depending on your plan, location and the services you use. Other out-of-pocket costs to consider include:
Whether the plan covers any part of your monthly Medicare Part B premium.
The plan’s yearly deductibles and any other deductibles, such as a drug deductible.
Copayments and/or coinsurance for each visit or service. For instance, there may be a $10 copay for seeing your primary doctor and a $45 copay for seeing a specialist.
The plan’s in-network and out-of-network out-of-pocket maximums.
Whether your medical providers are in-network or out-of-network, or how often you may go out-of-network for care.
Whether you require extra benefits, and whether the plan charges for them.
To get a sense of costs, use Medicare’s plan finding tool to compare information among available plans in your area. You can select by insurance carrier to see only Regence plans or compare across carriers. You can also shop directly from Regence's website by entering your ZIP code.
Regence Medicare Advantage plan types
There are two kinds of Regence Medicare Advantage plans, and they vary in structure, costs and benefits. About 68% of Regence plans include prescription drug coverage.
Plan offerings include the following types:
HMO plans
A health maintenance organization (HMO) generally requires that you use a specific network of doctors and hospitals. You may need a referral from your primary doctor in order to see a specialist, and out-of-network benefits are usually very limited.
PPO plans
Preferred provider organization (PPO) plans provide the most freedom, allowing you to see any provider that accepts the insurance. You may not need to choose a primary doctor, and you don’t need referrals to see specialists. You can seek out-of-network care, although it may cost more than seeing an in-network doctor.
Regence Medicare Advantage service area
Regence offers Medicare Advantage plans in four states: Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Utah. The company covers about 136,000 Medicare Advantage members
Get more information below about some of the major Medicare Advantage providers. These insurers offer plans in most states. The plans you can choose from will depend on your ZIP code and county.
What are the plan’s costs? Do you understand what the plan’s premium, deductibles, copays and/or coinsurance will be? Can you afford them?
Is your doctor in-network? If you have a preferred medical provider or providers, make sure they participate in the plan’s network.
Are your prescriptions covered? If you’re on medication, it’s crucial to understand how the plan covers it. What tier are your prescription drugs on, and are there any coverage rules that apply to them?
Is there dental coverage? Does the plan offer routine coverage for vision, dental and hearing needs?
Are there extras? Does the plan offer any extra benefits, such as fitness memberships, transportation benefits or meal delivery?
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
