Bruce Lawrence, president and CEO of Oklahoma City-based Integris Health, penned an op-ed in NewsOK addressing what he labeled "misinformation" provided by Tulsa-based Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma about the organizations' negotiation stalemate.
Here are five things to know.
1. An in-network agreement between the payer and provider concludes Aug. 31. All Integris hospitals and ancillary facilities will be out-of-network with BCBSOK by Sept. 1 if a resolution is not inked. Employed phyisicians will be out-of-network on Oct. 24.
2. In the op-ed, Mr. Lawrence wrote, "At the outset of negotiations, Integris indicated it was willing to keep its current contract terms along with a modest 3 percent rate increase. BCBSOK has denied this request and demanded more than 130 changes to our current agreement. We find this unacceptable."
3. Mr. Lawrence said Integris' position as a nonprofit health system depends on a contract "that covers costs and supports the work we do in communities across the state."
4. BCBSOK — the state's largest insurer and only participating payer on Oklahoma's ACA exchange — told Becker's Hospital Review, "Healthcare is changing and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is updating all our contracts to include language that will protect our members. We are fighting to protect our members from national trends we see in healthcare, including practices that result in surprise billing, balance billing and unfair billing practices. We will fight to help keep members' out-of-pocket expenses and premiums as low as possible."
5. Mr. Lawrence wrote Integris intends to remain in-network with BCBSOK "if a fair agreement can be reached."