Stillwater (Ok.) Medical Center could go out of network with BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma on May 1, 2023, if the sides are unable to agree on a new contract, the Stillwater News Press reported Dec. 28.
The 117-bed acute care general hospital said its costs have increased 26 percent since 2019 and it will be unable to maintain a high level of care if they accept reimbursement contracts from payers that do not keep pace with inflation, according to the report.
BCBS said Stillwater Medical Center wants to increase prices by several times the rate of inflation, according to the report.
The hospital said there is a Dec. 31 deadline to reach an agreement, but a BCBS spokesperson told the new outlet there is no deadline and the payer is open to returning to negotiations.