Health Care Service Corp.’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is still negotiating with Austin-based Ascension Texas as the end-of-year in-network deadline approaches.
“We’re negotiating new contracts with Ascension facilities and hospitals. We’re working hard to reach new agreements,” the insurer said on its website.
Without a deal, Blue Choice PPO, Blue Essentials, Blue Advantage HMO, MyBlue Health, Blue Cross Medicare Advantage PPO and Blue Cross Medicare Advantage HMO will not cover Waco, Texas-based Ascension Providence, nor its providers, starting Jan. 1. That same date, also absent an agreement, Blue Choice PPO, Blue Essentials, Blue Advantage HMO, Blue Premier, Blue HPN, Blue Cross Medicare Advantage PPO and Blue Cross Medicare Advantage HMO will not cover Austin, Texas-based Ascension Seton, according to the insurer.
“Insurers like BCBSTX have reported record profits,” an Ascension statement said. “We are simply asking for competitive, sustainable reimbursement rates that support delivering the level of care our patients deserve.”
