Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System’s contract with BCBS Texas expired April 1, rendering the health system out of network.
Commercial and ACA exchange (both individual and family) plan members lost access at the end of March. Memorial Hermann has been out of network with the carrier’s Medicare Advantage plans since Jan. 1, according to an update from BCBS Texas.
The organizations agreed to extend termination dates — continuing access to facilities and physicians — through April 30 for the University of Texas System, the State of Texas Employee Retirement System, the State of Texas Teacher Retirement System and Texas A&M University in College Station.
A Memorial Hermann statement shared with Becker’s April 2 said negotiations had been ongoing for nearly eight months.
“We are disappointed that Blue Cross Blue Shield continues to disregard the financial realities facing health systems and health care providers today, jeopardizing continuity of care and creating unnecessary anxiety for the patients and families who depend on us for their care,” the statement said. “We remain committed to serving the greater Houston community and urge Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas to come to the table with a good faith proposal that values patients, respects caregivers and preserves their members’ access to care.”
Memorial Hermann’s website noted BCBS plans based in other states are also encompassed in the negotiations as these plans rely on local agreements to determine access. BCBS Texas operates under Health Care Service Corp.
“We take any potential disruption in our network of providers very seriously and will make concentrated efforts to ensure our members and their families have continuity of care if an agreement cannot be reached,” a BCBS Texas statement shared with Becker’s March 31 said.
Negotiations leading up to a previous contracting deadline in early 2022 put roughly 100,000 patients in limbo, according to the Houston Chronicle. The organizations eventually reached an agreement that March.
Becker’s has contacted BCBS Texas and will update this story if more information becomes available.
This story was last updated April 2.
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