Payer Contracting

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield avoided going out of network with Fredericksburg, Va.-based Mary Washington Healthcare as the sides were able to reach a new contract ahead of the March 1 split date. 

Medical Mutual of Ohio and Kroger Health reached an agreement to provide in-network services to Medical Mutual's Medicare Advantage members. 

Centene and Springfield, Mo.-based Cox Health reached an agreement to keep Centene's Medicaid beneficiaries in network, the Springfield News-Leader reported Feb. 17. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is challenging the state's decision to hand its State Health Plan contract to Aetna in court. 

At least two payers and providers have split in recent weeks. Others are trying to agree to contracts ahead of looming deadlines or working to negotiate expired contracts. 

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. 

Empire BlueCross and Ellis Medicine will split May 1 unless the two sides can agree to a new contract, the Times Union reported Feb. 10.

Prescott, Ariz.-based Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center is out of network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona after the sides were unable to reach a new contract, NBC affiliate KPNX reported Feb. 9.  

Several insurers and health systems have reached agreements to keep members in network in February. 

Health Net Federal Services, a Centene subsidiary, is challenging the Defense Department's decision to hand over management of a Tricare contract to TriWest Healthcare Alliance, military.com reported Feb. 9.