Blue Cross of Mississippi Threatens to End Contract With HMA

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, the largest health insurer in the state, has sent a termination notice to Naples, Fla.-based Health Management Associates indicating it will ax contracts with Health Management’s hospitals by the end of August, according to an Associated Press report.

Advertisement

Health Management has 10 hospitals in Mississippi, all of which sued BCBS in June. The hospitals claimed the payer has been underpaying them by millions for certain inpatient procedures. The report did not indicate if Health Management and BCBS planned to meet to discuss the contracts. If the notice goes into effect, Health Management’s Mississippi hospitals will be out-of-network for BCBS patients.

BCBS is also in a contracting dispute with University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, the hospital that treats the most inpatients in the state, according to the report. BCBS and UMMC have until Aug. 28 to negotiate a new deal.

More Articles on Hospitals and Payers:
6 Health Insurers Sign Onto Illinois’ Insurance Marketplace
Cigna Launches 2 Accountable Care Initiatives in Arizona
Survey: 25% of Hospitals in Talks With 5 or More Payers for Exchanges

At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.

Download Whitepaper

The cost-saving opportunity most health systems overlook

Many hospitals and health systems scrutinize staffing, service lines, and payer contracts for savings. Fewer look at one of their largest assets: real estate.…

Advertisement

Next Up in Financial Management

Advertisement

Comments are closed.