The two major North Texas health systems are no longer a network of Blue Cross and Blue Shields for Texas insurance plans, including commercial planning, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans.
Insurance companies did not reach an agreement Southwest Health Resourcesincludes Texas Health Resources and UT Southwestern healthcare providers and hospitals. The contract between Texas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Southwestern health resources expired Tuesday, according to both entities.
A Southwestern Health Resources statement sent via email from spokesman Kimberly Walton explained that the insurance company would not move during negotiations.
“Even after months of negotiations, BCBSTX remained unwilling to accept the demand for Southwest health resources for equitable rebates to cover rising costs to provide quality care,” the statement said.
In a statement in an email Tuesday afternoon, Texas Blue Cross and Blue Shield said insurance companies are “sensitive to the challenges hospitals face pressures in labor, supply and other costs.”
“Unfortunately, we were unable to reach an agreement to protect it.[s] The statement said.
Both entities said in a statement that they still hope to reach an agreement.
According to the insurance company’s website, there are seven health insurance plans that will be affected.
- Paran
- Blue Choice PPO
- Blue essentials
- Blue Advantage HMO
- Medicaid
- Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (HMO)
The insurance company spokesman refused to say how many people were affected by the change.
Patient Options
The insurance company said on its website they will work with affected people to find healthcare providers in their network.
Insurance plan members areProvider Directoryor you can call the ID card number.
Patients can also continue to look at existing healthcare providers at out-of-network costs. This option usually involves higher out-of-pocket costs.
In some cases, people with complex or serious diagnosis may be “Continuity of careallows patients to stay with existing healthcare providers at a price within the network for a specific time.
Insurance companies are also listed on their websites that in emergencies, people should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency medical centre.
“Commercial network emergency services are covered at the benefit level within the network,” the insurer’s website states.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated and contains comments from the Texas Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
