As the Dec. 31 negotiation deadline approaches in the contract dispute between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and Tuscon, Ariz.-based Carondelet Health Network, county officials advocated for a quick resolution at a board meeting Wednesday.
The CountyBoard of Supervisors agreed to send a letter to both negotiating parties, according to Nogales International.
"County employees will find it costly to utilize the Carondelet Health Network and may have to seek medical services elsewhere," the supervisor's letter stated. Failure to procure a satisfactory agreement would mean BCBSAZ carriers must pay out-of-network rates at the county's only hospital.
The conflict centers on Carondelet's frustration with BCBSAZ's reimbursement rates, which the health system argues are too low.
BCBSAZ and Carondelet have yet to respond to the letter.