Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has eliminated LifeBrite Community Hospital of Stokes (N.C.) from its network, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.
The hospital will be dropped from coverage Aug. 21 for allegedly billing for fraudulent laboratory services. LifeBrite sued Blue Cross April 13, accusing the insurer of withholding reimbursements worth at least $15.5 million.
"It appears Blue Cross has failed to take into account the role LifeBrite plays in providing high quality healthcare to residents of Stokes and the surrounding areas," LifeBrite stated, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.
LifeBrite patients who are pregnant or have chronic conditions may qualify for Blue Cross' continuity-of-care program to continue seeing their LifeBrite physician in-network.