And The Answer Is……..
Large hospital system had requested a 5 percent increase worth millions of dollars. Did BCBSTX agree to pay more on behalf of their insureds and will BCBSTX pass the cost increase on to consumers in the form of higher premiums?
Blue Cross Blue Shield, Texas Health reach new contract
Dec 30, 2016, 6:58am CST Updated Dec 30, 2016, 7:03am CSTBottom of Form
Bill HethcockStaff WriterDallas Business Journal
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and Texas Health Resources have signed a new contract ensuring all pf the Arlington-based hospital system’s facilities and physicians will remain in the Blue Cross network of providers.
The state’s largest insurance company and one of North Texas’ biggest health care providers agreed to terms on Thursday and signed the contract just two days before the current deal expired. The contract will last through 2018.
Texas Health Resources and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas have a new contract.
Terms of the deal were not included in a statement the two parties released late Thursday. Texas Health had requested a $56 million or 5 percent increase, causing Richardson-based Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas to balk. The nonprofit hospital system also wanted a new contract to include Southwestern Health Resources, its new integrated network with UT Southwestern Medical Center.
“Through determined efforts on both sides of the table, the agreement will keep Texas Health Resources in the HMO Blue Texas (Blue Essentials), Blue Choice PPO (BCA), Blue Advantage HMO (BAV) and Blue Cross Medicare Advantage PPO networks with no disruption in service,” a joint statement from Texas Health and Blue Cross said.
About 150,000 North Texans were at risk of being left out of network on Jan. 1 had the two not signed a new deal.
