As the end of 2025 approaches, so do a handful of payer-provider agreements.
Earlier this year, the number of contract disputes were down. While some insurers and health systems reach a resolution — either before or even after their deadlines — a few are still pending, as of December.
Here are four contracts with ongoing negotiations or confirmed departures:
Note: This is not an exhaustive list. To be included, please reach out to Elizabeth Casolo at ecasolo@beckershealthcare.com with your insurer’s or health system’s latest updates. This story was last updated Dec. 10.
1. While Farmers Branch, Texas-based Southwestern Health Resources will remain covered by most plans from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, the clinical network will not be in network with the Blue Advantage HMO plan next year, both organizations confirmed to Becker’s.
2. BCBS of Texas and Austin-based Ascension Texas have not reached an agreement. If the contract expires, the insurer’s commercial, ACA and Medicare Advantage plans would not cover Waco, Texas-based Ascension Providence nor its providers, or Austin-based Ascension Seton.
3. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and Topeka-based University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus, also owned by Nashville, Tenn.-based Ardent Health Services, are still negotiating. Patients with respective Healthy Blue Medicaid and Medicare plans would not be affected if the insurer ends coverage.
4. The agreement between UnitedHealthcare and St. Louis-based SSM Health is also poised for expiration. Medicaid and employer-sponsored commercial plans would be affected, according to the insurer’s website.
