Topeka hospital patients may pay more soon if negotiations fail

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Patients of a Topeka hospital face uncertainty as contract negotiations with a big insurance provider stall while an important deadline looms ahead.

Insurance provider Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) and the University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus in Topeka are struggling to reach an agreement this year. If they can’t reach a suitable arrangement by the end of this year, the hospital said it will no longer be in-network with BCBSKS on Jan. 1, 2026.

St. Francis will stop accepting insurance from BCBSKS if the negotiations fail. Patients can choose to remain on their current plans, but may face higher out-of-pocket costs for non-emergency care starting in January next year, according to St. Francis.

St. Francis reports it has not been able to reach an agreement for fair reimbursement with BCBSKS yet, especially in light of rising healthcare costs due to supply costs and inflation. Meanwhile, BCBSKS said it is working hard to be a good steward for its members’ healthcare dollars and is striving to come to terms with St. Francis by the end of the year deadline.

“We continue to actively work with BCBSKS to reach an agreement that would maintain St. Francis Campus in-network status after Jan. 1,” said Terri Benson with St. Francis. “We have begun sharing details with patients that are also BCBS members.”

“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas continues its good faith active discussions with the University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus Topeka. Our goal is to compensate providers fairly while being good stewards of our members’ health care dollars — when we pay more, members pay more. We hope to reach a renewal agreement before the expiration of the contract on December 31, 2025.”
Blue Cross and Blue Shield statement – Oct. 28, 2025.

St. Francis patients will still be able to access emergency services at the hospital at in-network rates even if the deadline passes with no agreement made. Patients who are pregnant or getting active treatment are encouraged to contact BCBSKS to complete continuity of care requests to confirm their eligibility for continued in-network coverage.

People who are on Medicare can check here for more healthcare options. Updates on the negotiations between BCBSKS and St. Francis, along with further details for patients, can be found by clicking here.

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