Tulsa-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma's contracts with three Kansas City, Mo.-based Rural Community Hospitals of America subsidiaries expired July 1 following failed negotiations, according to NewsOK.
Affected BCBSOK policyholders will no longer have in-network access to Prague (Okla.) Community Hospital, Haskell County Community Hospital in Stigler, Okla., and Fairfax (Okla.) Community Hospital beginning Oct. 29.
RCHA denied BCBSOK's request to decrease rates, ultimately deciding not to renew the hospitals' contracts with the payer, according to the report.
Randy Simmons, CEO of Prague Community Hospital, told NewsOK the decision "is not acceptable." Don Buchanan, CEO of Haskell County Community Hospital, said the change would lead to "a substantial reduction in funding to our hospital," adding that a majority of residents near Haskell County Community Hospital are BCBSOK policyholders.