Despite ongoing negotiations and aggressive ad campaigns, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and CHI Memorial have been unable to reach a contract agreement – putting thousands of patients in jeopardy of losing in-network coverage at Chattanooga’s second-largest health system if the two sides cannot come to terms before the Sept. 8 deadline.
Officials from both CHI Memorial and BlueCross say the reimbursement rates the other is requesting are unacceptable but that they can’t reveal how much each side wants without violating confidentiality agreements.
Negotiations are ongoing, with officials on both sides saying they’re hopeful an agreement will be reached on or before Sept. 7, which is the last day to reach an agreement.
If no deal is reached, CHI Memorial’s facilities, physicians and services will become out-of-network – and therefore more expensive – for patients with either commercial or BlueAdvantage (Medicare Advantage) plans. The Chattanooga Heart Institute would be out-of-network for BlueCross members starting Oct. 1.
TennCare patients with BlueCare plans would not be affected by the potential changes.