If you are a member of the Regence KingCare PPO medical plan, and you see medical providers who are part of the EvergreenHealth network, please note the following information about their contract with Regence BlueShield.

Leaders from Regence and EvergreenHealth are currently in extended contract negotiations. Both organizations are working to reach an agreement before their current contract ends Sept. 1. Here is what you need to know:

• Most provider-health plan contract negotiations are resolved with no service disruptions and no provider network changes.
• If an agreement between EvergreenHealth and Regence is not reached by Sept. 1, services received on or after this date by EvergreenHealth providers will be considered out-of-network and will be paid at a lower benefit level, except for emergency care at Evergreen general hospitals in Kirkland and Monroe, which would be paid at the in-network level.
• Most employees pay 40% for out-of-network services after the deductible and copays are met, until you reach the out-of-pocket limit. For details about your medical benefits, go to www.kingcounty.gov/Plan-Details.
• You can receive care from EvergreenHealth through Aug. 31, and services will be paid at the in-network rate.
• No action is needed by you at this time. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.
• Regence recently mailed a letter to members who use EvergreenHealth providers to inform them of the situation and identify potential alternative providers, should the parties not reach agreement by Aug. 31.

If you have questions or want help finding a different provider, please call Regence BlueShield at 800-376-7926 from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. PST, Monday—Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST on Saturday. You can also contact the King County Benefits team at 206-684-1556 or email KC Benefits.