Blue Cross Blue Shield pacts with 3 hospitals set to end

Patients at three Oklahoma hospitals on Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurance will soon have to pay more out-of-pocket costs after talks to renew contracts failed.

The three hospitals affected are the Prague Community Hospital, Haskell County Community Hospital and the Fairfax Community Hospital.

For 120 days after the end of the contracts on July 1, 2017, the insurer will continue pay the current inmarket rates, then switch over to an out-of-network cost. Once the change occurs, hospitals will pass on the cost to patients.

“To protect our members, BCBSOK has a 120day transition period in place so members can coordinate transition of care,” said Melissa Clark, senior manager if public relations for Blue Cross and Blue Shield Oklahoma.

Exact cost increases will vary at each location and also on the type of medical attention.

“This is not acceptable,” said CEO Randy Simmons, of the Prague Community Hospital. “It really worries our patients.”

Without the renewal of the contracts, patients will have until Oct. 29 to either find a new provider or pay out of pocket for medical expenses if they wish to stay at one of the three hospitals.

“This is a substantial reduction in funding to our hospital,” said CEO Don Buchanan, of the Haskell County Community Hospital.

Buchanan said that most local residents are insured through Blue Cross Blue Shield.

“PPO members have the right to seek medical care at any hospital they choose, understanding that out-of-pocket costs will be higher if they use a facility that is not in our networks,”Clark said.

The three CEOs from the hospitals are hoping that the contracts will be renewed.

“They are the only show in town pretty much,” Buchanan said. “I really feel bad for those who are insured through them.”

Clark said that members can call the customer service number on their member ID card or can use the company’s online tool called Provider Finder to locate a new hospital.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield requested a reduction in rates, which would have cost the hospitals more, but the parent company Rural Community Hospitals of America decided not to renew the three contracts.

“They sent us a new contract, but we decided not to renew it,” Buchanan said.