Care management program supports pregnant patients

Special Beginnings® is a proactive maternity care management program available to many members throughout The Regence Group in Oregon, Washington, Utah and Idaho. The program is a benefit provided by The Regence Group or purchased as an add-on benefit by an employer group. Member participation is voluntary.

The program promotes the development of a strong physician-patient relationship by encouraging the expectant mother to communicate with her physician or provider and comply with their plan of care. As a result, there is a greater likelihood that the member will give birth to a healthy, full-term baby.

Special Beginnings nurses provide expectant mothers with prenatal education and support. If pregnancy-related services require preauthorization or special handling, the care manager can act as the member's advocate.

Special Beginnings offers the following services to participating members:

• Toll-free access to a registered nurse 24 hours per day, seven days per week
• Risk stratification based on a patient questionnaire
• Care management including preauthorization and benefit management by registered nurses with maternity experience
• Individually tailored educational material from nationally recognized organizations, such as the March of Dimes and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• The member's choice of a book about pregnancy (six options available) or a childbirth DVD
• Gift certificate to a retail store upon completion of the program

How are members enrolled in Special Beginnings?
There are many ways that an eligible members may enroll in the Special Beginnings program. Please verify member eligibility by calling 1 (888) 569-2229 during regular business hours, or by e-mailing or_special_beginnings@regence.com.

• An OB provider may enroll an eligible patient by:
  • sending an e-mail to or_special_beginnings.com
  • calling the Special Beginnings staff at 1 (888) 569-2229 during regular business hours
  • when calling BCBSO Customer Service to confirm maternity benefits, ask the representative to send the required information to the Special Beginnings staff
  • completing our convenient fax enrollment form that requires only one line of information per member. It can be faxed to us at (503) 391-8696. or mailed to:

  Regence BCBSO
  PO Box 12625 MS S3F
  Salem, Oregon 97309

  *Please note that each of the above actions also fulfills the notification requirement for pregnancy per the Medical Preauthorization List. You may verify member eligibility by calling 1 (888) 569-2229 during regular business hours, or you may send an e-mail to or_special_beginnings@regence.com.

• An eligible member may self enroll by:
  • using our secure online form
  • downloading and completing the same form in English or Spanish, and mailing or faxing to the same address above
  • calling the Special Beginnings staff at 1 (888) 569-2229
  • asking a BCBSO customer service representative to forward the required information to the Special Beginnings staff

Once an eligible member has enrolled in the Special Beginnings program, their obstetrical care provider is notified of the enrollment.

If a member is not eligible for the Special Beginnings program, we still offer many free resources related to pregnancy, childbirth and parenting through the Regence Engine.

If you would like more information about Special Beginnings click here to directly contact program staff, or please call 1 (888) 569-2229.