The deadline for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) to reach a new contract agreement with Christus Health is fast approaching. If a deal is not reached by the end of Monday, thousands of patients could lose in-network access to Christus facilities starting Tuesday, July 1.
The move could lead to higher out-of-pocket medical costs and limited care options for many Texans. Residents living in Texas but insured through Blue Cross Blue Shield plans from other states may also be impacted, the hospital system said.òòò½ÊÓƵ
According to Christus Health, the organization has been in negotiations with the insurer for months in an effort to secure òòò½ÊÓƵœreasonable insurance reimbursement ratesòòò½ÊÓƵ but said it has received òòò½ÊÓƵœunfavorable responses.òòò½ÊÓƵ
òòò½ÊÓƵœDespite months of negotiations, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas has so far been unwilling to seriously consider Christus Healthòòò½ÊÓƵ™s requests for equitable reimbursement rates to cover the rising costs of providing quality health care,òòò½ÊÓƵ Christus said in a statement. òòò½ÊÓƵœThe companyòòò½ÊÓƵ™s aggressive negotiation tactics recently used with other health systems also raise concerns about their commitment to reach a fair contract.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Christus said its emergency departments will remain open to all patients, regardless of insurance status.
Facilities impacted
If the contract is not renewed, the following Christus Health facilities will no longer be in-network for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas members as of July 1:
Christus Health Northeast Texas:
Christus Good Shepherd Medical Centers in Northpark, Kilgore, Longview and Marshall
Christus Mother Frances Hospitals in Canton, Jacksonville (Critical Access Hospital), South Tyler, Sulphur Springs (Rural Hospital), Tyler and Winnsboro (Critical Access Hospital)
Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital òòò½ÊÓƵ“ Tyler
Christus St. Michael Health System òòò½ÊÓƵ“ Texarkana
Christus St. Michael Hospital òòò½ÊÓƵ“ Atlanta (Critical Access Hospital)
Christus St. Michael Rehabilitation Hospital
Christus Trinity Clinic òòò½ÊÓƵ“ all Texas locations
Trincare Clinical Laboratory òòò½ÊÓƵ“ all Texas locations
Christus Health Southeast Texas:
St. Elizabeth Hospital
Jasper Memorial Hospital (Critical Access Hospital)
Southeast Texas Orthopedics and Bariatric Center
St. Elizabeth Outpatient Pavilion
St. Mary Outpatient Center Mid òòò½ÊÓƵ
Hospital Orange
Christus Trinity Clinic òòò½ÊÓƵ“ all Texas locations
Trincare Clinical Laboratory òòò½ÊÓƵ“ all Texas locations
Christus Santa Rosa Health Care System:
Hospitals in Alamo Heights, Westover Hills, San Marcos and New Braunfels
Christus Childrenòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Hospital
Rehabilitation Services òòò½ÊÓƵ“ New Braunfels
Outpatient Imaging òòò½ÊÓƵ“ New Braunfels
Emergency Centers òòò½ÊÓƵ“ Alon and Creekside
Christus Surgery Centers in Olympia Hills and Alamo Heights
Christus Santa Rosa Physician Ambulatory Surgery Centers in Stone Oak, New Braunfels and San Marcos
Christus Trinity Clinic òòò½ÊÓƵ“ all Texas locations
Trincare Clinical Laboratory òòò½ÊÓƵ“ all Texas locations
Christus Spohn Health System:
Corpus Christi South, Shoreline and Surgical Hospital locations
Christus Spohn Hospitals in Alice, Beeville and Kleberg (all Critical Access Hospitals)
Christus Trinity Clinic òòò½ÊÓƵ“ all Texas locations
Trincare Clinical Laboratory òòò½ÊÓƵ“ all Texas locations
Health plans affected
The following Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas plans will be affected if the contract ends:
Blue Advantage HMO (BAV)
Blue Choice PPO
Blue Essentials HMO
Blue Cross Medicare Advantage HMO
Blue Cross Medicare Advantage PPO
Medicaid
FEP Blue Standard, FEP Blue Basic and FEP Blue Focus
Additionally, the ParPlan network will also be terminated effective July 21.
While the negotiation is officially between Christus Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, patients insured through other Blue Cross plans may also be affected if they receive care at Christus facilities in Texas.
"This negotiation may impact Blue Cross Blue Shield plans from other states," the organization stated. "We recommend you call the number listed on your Blue Cross Blue Shield card for assistance. If you wish to continue to receive services at Christus Health and your plan has no out-of-network benefits available, we offer several financial options, including but not limited to single case agreements with BCBSTX, cash pay options and payment plans."
Christus aims to reach agreement
Christus said it is making good-faith efforts to negotiate fair insurance rates.
"Christus Health remains dedicated to reaching an agreement by July 1 that is in the best interest of employers, physicians, our care centers and most importantly, our patients," the organization said. "We are hopeful the same is true for BCBSTX.òòò½ÊÓƵ
For more information, visit Christus Health's page about the agreement status: .
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