Despite coming to an agreement to keep Regence BlueShield of Washington commercial members in-network at the Polyclinic and Everett Clinic, the payer's Medicare advantage members are still left in limbo, The Daily Herald reported Jan. 10.
Regence BlueShield of Washington's contract with Optum-owned Everett Clinic and Polyclinic expired Dec. 5. The two sides reached an agreement to keep commercial members in network on Dec. 22.
Negotiations between the clinics and Regence BlueShield are ongoing, The Daily Herald reported.
Multiple Regence BlueShield Medicare Advantage members told the newspaper they had been denied care at the Everett Clinic because their plans are now out of network.
Regence BlueShield had told members they could receive out-of-network services at in-network rates during the federal public health emergency, The Daily Herald reported.
"We are very concerned by numerous reports we've received from our Medicare Advantage members who have been refused care by the Everett Clinic and the Polyclinic," a spokesperson for Regence BlueShield told the newspaper.
A spokesperson for Optum told the outlet they are hopeful to reach an agreement with Regence BlueShield.
"During this time, we have worked with Regence to ensure existing appointments, procedures and surgeries occur and continuity of care coverage is provided to qualified Medicare Advantage patients," the spokesperson said.
Representatives for Regence BlueShield did not tell the Daily Herald how many patients were affected by the contract dispute.
The Everett Clinic operates over 50 locations in Washington, according to its website.
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