Christus Health hospitals in Texas and Louisiana are no longer in Cigna's provider network, the Irving, Texas-based health system said on its website.
Texas-based Christus Mother Frances Hospitals at Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville and Winnsboro were no longer contracting with Cigna as of Feb. 1. Tyler-based Christus Trinity Clinic went out of network with the payer Feb. 20, and Christus Good Shepherd Health System in Longview, Texas, followed on March 1.
On March 15, remaining Christus hospitals in Texas and Louisiana went out of network with Cigna. On its website, Christus said, "As a not-for-profit health system, we've asked Cigna only for a minimal increase in our rates, while they are asking us to take a substantial decrease, which isn't sustainable. We haven't had an increase in rates from Cigna in more than two years — and in some cases almost 10 years — and just like you, we are faced with rising costs for supplies, pharmaceuticals and other resources."
In an emailed statement to Becker's Hospital Review, Cigna said it is "open to continuing negotiations with Christus Health to reach a new agreement. Cigna's goal remains the same — to keep healthcare affordable for our employer clients, our customers and their families, while enabling hospital systems to continue to invest in care, quality and innovation."
Editor's note: This article was updated March 20 at 1:37 p.m. CT to include an updated quote from Cigna.
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