Patients covered by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield at Christ Hospital and associated facilities could soon lose in-network coverage if a contract renewal between the hospital and insurance provider isn't inked before a looming deadline.
Medical centers, outpatient locations and urgent care centers associated with the Christ Hospital Health Network will be considered out of Anthem's network beginning April 1 if a contract isn't renewed before a March 31 expiration date. Christ's physician practices would also become out of network through Anthem if a renewal isn't met before another contract expiration on April 30.
The stalemate is the latest in a growing trend of local hospitals and insurance providers struggling to reach contract renewal in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In two other instances, the parties reached agreement in the final hours before expiration or days after expiration.
Last June, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center faced termination of its last remaining in-network Ohio marketplace provider, CareSource, before an agreement was made in the final hours. Then in January, Bon Secours Mercy Health faced similar stalled negotiations before reaching a new agreement with Cigna days after its previous contract expired.
More:'It makes you feel helpless': CareSource terminates Ohio marketplace contract with Cincinnati Children's
In a statement, the Christ Hospital Health Network said it was committed to working toward an agreement but said it is asking Anthem to "pay us fairly and equitably."
"We will continue to work hard to come to an agreement with Anthem/BCBS on behalf of our community so they can continue to have access to the exceptional care and services offered by our health network providers," the statement said. " ... At this time, there is no impact to patients, and they should continue to visit the Christ Hospital Health Network providers and facilities as they normally would."
An Anthem spokesman said Christ's negotiations include price increases "more than double the current inflation rate."
"The Christ Hospital Health Network has informed us of their intent to leave Anthem’s care provider network unless we agree to allow them to drastically increase prices for the people and businesses we serve," the statement said. "Cost increases of this magnitude − more than double the current inflation rate – are unacceptable, especially when Greater Cincinnati families and businesses are already struggling with a difficult economy. "
The statement further said that negotiations were ongoing and the insurance company vowed to "continue to work in good faith toward an agreement that maintains our members’ access to care at Christ Hospital."
Earlier this month, the Christ Hospital Health Network began sending letters notifying patients that they could be affected if an agreement isn't met.
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