Here are six ongoing disputes Becker’s has reported since Jan. 13.
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Christ Hospital, based in Cincinnati, could split if the two sides cannot reach a contract agreement by April 1. According to a statement on the Christ Hospital’s website, the negotiations affect Anthem commercial, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid members.
- Empire BlueCross and Ellis Medicine will split May 1 unless the two sides can agree to a new contract. The Schenectady, N.Y.-based health system said it will terminate its contract with the payer March 1 if the organizations cannot agree on a new contract.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is out of network with Prescott, Ariz.-based Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center after the sides were unable to reach a new contract. Yavapai Regional Medical Center CEO Dr. Anthony Torres said the hospital was asking for an increase that was under the rate of inflation for its costs.
- UnitedHealthcare’s Medicaid managed care plan is out of network with Philadelphia-based Temple Health after the two sides were unable to reach a new contract by Feb. 1.
- Community Health System is continuing to negotiate contracts with Anthem Blue Cross and Cigna. The Clovis, Calif.-based health system is back in network with UnitedHealthcare.
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center announced it will drop Humana and Wellcare of Tennessee Medicare Advantage plans effective April 1. The Nashville, Tenn.-based system said in a statement the change is necessary because health systems “need to [be] paid fairly for services they provide and continue to contend with higher costs for personnel, supplies, equipment, and medications necessary to provide high quality care.”
