TEXAS, USA — In a statement written by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) June 1 said they were notified by Baylor Scott and White Health (BSW) that they are terminating their physician and hospital agreements July 1, 2024, unless contract agreements are modified.
Still, negotiations are continuing so nothing has changed.
BCBSTX and BSW have been in contract negotiations for months.
All Baylor Scott & White locations, including hospitals, urgent care, imaging centers, ambulatory surgery centers and free-standing clinics are included in this negotiation.
Patients are advised to continue to visit Baylor Scott & White hospitals, facilities, and providers as they normally would through the month of June.
If an agreement is not reached by July 1, 2024, BCBSTX will be considered out of network for care delivered by BSWH doctors or facilities for most BCSBTX members. This could mean increased costs for BCBSTX patients who want to continue receiving care from a BSWH facility or provider.
If a patient is receiving treatment for a special condition on or after the date the agreement ends, some services may still be covered for a short period of time if they already began and are not yet complete. However, BSWH strongly encourage patients to discuss their care plan with their medical team.
Certain patients, including those who are hospitalized or undergoing an active course of treatment before the contract end date, may qualify for Continuity of Care through BCBSTX. If you think you may qualify, call the phone number on the back of your BCBSTX health insurance card today to request a Continuity of Care form and apply.
If anyone experiences a medical emergency, BSWH recommends they should always visit the nearest emergency department. BCBSTX will pay for services you receive to evaluate and stabilize an emergency medical condition regardless of whether your care is received from an in-network or out-of-network emergency department.
Here is a list of the provider networks that will be impacted if negotiations are not met:
- ParPlan
- Blue Choice PPO SM
- Blue Essentials SM
- Blue Premier SM
- Blue Advantage HMO SM
- BlueHPN®
- Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (PPO) SM
- Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (HMO) SM
- Medicaid
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas and it's the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 80,000 physicians and healthcare practitioners, and 500 hospitals to serve 5 million members in all 254 counties.
6 News will continue following negotiations to learn what decision was made between the two parties.