BlueCross BlueShield at risk of losing CHRISTUS Health contract due to healthcare dispute

TYLER, Texas (KETK)– For decades BlueCross and BlueShield of Texas (BCBSTX) has been an accepted insurance provider for CHRISTUS Health, but that could all change if they cannot reach an agreement by July 1.

According to CHRISTUS Health, they have been negotiating with BCBSTX for months to secure a “reasonable insurance reimbursement rate for their health services” but the responses have been unfavorable so far. However, CHRISTUS Health said they will continue to communicate with them in hopes of finalizing an agreement before the pending termination.

“CHRISTUS Health is working hard to keep health care costs affordable for all while continuing to provide high-quality and compassionate services to our patients and their families,” the healthcare system said. “We encourage patients to call the BCBSTX customer service number located on their insurance card to let them know how important it is for CHRISTUS Health hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and physician clinics to remain in network so that they have access to the entire provider network and benefits as a BCBSTX member.”

Even if CHRISTUS Health goes out of network with BCBSTX on July 1, they said their emergency departments will always be available to ensure that patients get the “affordable, quality care they need and deserve.”

“In a recent communication issued by BCBSTX, the company indicated that CHRISTUS Health may not submit patient insurance claims to BCBSTX after June 30,” CHRISTUS Health said. “Should this happen, please know that while we won’t be able to file in-network claims to BCBSTX on your behalf, we will file out-of-network insurance claims if your plan has this option.”

According to CHRISTUS Health, if they go out of network BCBSTX might say that there are other providers willing to accept BCBSTX members, but the reality is that access to many of these providers will be limited due to capacity issues these providers are already experiencing.

“In other words, these providers will not be able to handle the additional volume of patients,” CHRISTUS Health said. “In turn, you and your dependents will have long wait times or may have to seek care outside of your immediate geographic region.”

Texans can find more information about this pending termination with BCBSTX on their FAQ section.