Thousands of patients will be left out-of-network if Regence BlueShield of Washington and Optum-owned The Polyclinic and The Everett Clinic do not reach an agreement by Dec. 19, The Seattle Times reported Nov. 28.
Contracting
As payers and health systems ink new in-network contracts nationwide, these are eight ongoing disputes Becker's has been tracking:
Contract negotiations have stalled between UnitedHealthcare and Albuquerque, N.M.-based Lovelace Health System, the Albuquerque Journal reported Nov. 26.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin and Wausau-based Aspirus Network have signed a new contract to maintain in-network access, CBS affiliate WSAW reported Nov. 23.
Cameron (Mo.) Regional Medical Center will go out of network with Cigna Medicare Advantage plans on Dec. 31, the New-Press Now reported Nov. 25.
Advertisement
UnitedHealthcare and Renton, Wash.-based Providence Health have reached a multi-year deal to keep nearly 3 million beneficiaries in-network with the health system's physicians and facilities in California, the Eureka Times-Standard reported Nov. 22.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York and Buffalo-based Kaleida Health have signed a long-term agreement to allow Highmark’s members to have in-network access to Kaleida's facilities.
Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and BCBS Texas have all finalized network provider agreements with health systems since Oct. 31:
Aetna and Allentown, Pa.-based Lehigh Valley Health Network have reached a new deal, avoiding a contract split that would have affected thousands of patients, the Morning Call reported Nov. 17.
UnitedHealthcare and Raleigh, N.C.-based WakeMed have signed a multi-year contract that restores in-network access for thousands of patients.