Las Vegas-based Health Services Coalition is in a contract dispute with Nashville, Tenn.-based Hospital Corporation of America, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Health Services Coalition coordinates health plans for approximately 20 employers and labor groups throughout the state of Nevada. HCA operates three Las Vegas-based hospitals — Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center and MountainView Hospital — and four surgical clinics in Nevada.
The organizations hope to coordinate a three- or four-year contract to replace their current one, which ends Feb. 29. If they are not able to negotiate a new contract, the change will affect more than 275,000 Nevadans.
Stacie Sasso, HSC co-chairwoman, said HCA wants to raise rates for medical facility access. "Historically, we've had trouble with the increases they're requesting," Ms. Sasso said, according to the report.
In a recent press release, HSC said HCA had been "siphoning" funds paid by Nevada families out of the state.
HCA disagreed. "In recent years we have had no issue contracting with the coalition for their members," said Rob Dyer, senior vice president of strategy and development for HCA's Far West Division, according to the report. "Quite frankly, we were disappointed in the misinformation provided in their press release."
The groups will meet again Feb. 22 in hopes of reaching an agreement.