Payer Contracting

Cigna and Toledo, Ohio-based ProMedica have reached a verbal agreement for 2023, the Toledo Blade reported Dec. 21. 

Payers are settling disputes with health systems and adding new value-based contracts. 

Regence BlueShield of Washington and Optum-owned Polyclinic and Everett Clinic have extended their current contract through Dec. 23 as the two sides attempt to work out a deal to keep 19,000 patients in-network, The Seattle Times reported Dec. 19. 

Cigna and Titusville, Fla.-based Parrish Healthcare have reached a new multi-year contract that will keep the payer's members in-network with Parrish Medical Center and Parrish Medical Group physicians. 

Independence Blue Cross and Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health have agreed to a long-term contract renewal that will expand value-based care and add Einstein Health Network and Jefferson Health New Jersey to Independence's network. 

Clovis, Calif.-based Community Health System is facing Dec. 31 contract deadlines with several major payers, including UnitedHealthcare, Cigna and Anthem Blue Cross, The Fresno Bee reported Dec. 19. 

Independent Health has inked a two-year agreement with Buffalo, N.Y.-based Catholic Health, The Buffalo News reported Dec. 16. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi and the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson have reached a contract agreement, ending one of the more intense payer-provider disputes over reimbursement rates in 2022.

Regence BlueShield and Seattle-based Virginia Mason Franciscan Health are partnering to launch an accountable health network Jan. 1 they say will provide "affordable, accessible and high-quality care to patients across the Puget Sound region." 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts has created a financial payment model that rewards health systems and physicians for eliminating racial and ethnic inequalities to care.