Payer Contracting

Mobile-based Ascension Health Alabama could leave Cigna's network Aug. 13 if a new deal is not reached, the Birmingham Business Journal reported June 27. 

Marietta, Ga.-based Wellstar Health System will be back in network with UnitedHealthcare starting July 1, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported June 27. 

Providers ranging from large health systems to independent practices have recently gone out of network with major payers:

Time is running out for MaineHealth's flagship hospital and Anthem to reach a deal, the health system's CEO, Andy Mueller, MD, said in a June 24 opinion piece on centralmaine.com. 

Beginning Jan. 1, UnitedHealthcare's Medicare Advantage members will be in network at Mayo Clinic facilities in the Midwest under a new contract agreement between the two organizations, the Star Tribune reported June 23.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Fredericksburg-based Hill Country Memorial Hospital reached a contract agreement June 16 to keep the hospital in network and avoid disruptions in service, according to the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post.

A month after announcing plans to drop Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Scarborough, Maine-based Coastal Women's Healthcare and the payer said they've reached an agreement on a new contract, Maine Public Radio reported June 22. 

Oklahoma City-based OU Health went out of network with UnitedHealthcare on May 1 amid a disagreement over reimbursement rates, though negotiations are ongoing. The move means thousands of UnitedHealthcare members cannot receive covered care at OU Health facilities, according to…

Mediation for contract negotiations between Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi and the University of Mississippi Medical Center has started but is moving at a "snail's pace," according to the state's insurance commissioner, Mississippi Today reported June 7.

Connecticut has selected Aetna for a three-year Medicare Advantage contract that will serve approximately 57,000 retirees and their dependents across the state, pending negotiations.