Tenet and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia finally come to an agreement
June 25, 2010
By Mike Solis
After months of negotiations, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGA) and Tenet Healthcare have finally agreed to work together again. The new agreement covers Tenet’s five acute care hospitals in Georgia (Atlanta Medical Center, North Fulton Hospital, South Fulton Medical Center, Spalding Regional Medical Center, and Sylvan Grove Hospital) as well as freestanding outpatient centers and physicians who are employed by Tenet subsidiaries.
According to BCBSGA’s Amy Cheslock, “We are pleased to continue our relationship with Tenet. As the state’s largest health benefits provider, we strive to create the best health care value for our customers through a broad network of quality health care providers.”
The financial terms of this agreement have not yet been disclosed.
For questions, please contact Medicoverage using the contact tab above.
Tenet Health Systems terminates contact with BCBSGA
May 13, 2010
By Medicoverage Staff
Tenet Health System has terminated its contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia effective 7/1/2010. Tenet Health System is comprised of several health care providers including five hospitals: Atlanta Medical Center, North Fulton Hospital, South Fulton Medical Center, Spalding Regional Medical Center and Sylvan Grove Hospital. According to BCBSGA, the company knows that their customers “value the care Tenet Health System provided to our members and we made considerable effort to keep them in our network.” However no agreement was ever finalized.
BCBSGA has ensured its members that services rendered by Tenet providers are available from other in-network area providers in the area. According to the company they have implemented several tools to assist their clients with this network change. The company stated that the termination does not impact any of the more than 185 hospitals that are part of extensive BCBSGA networks throughout Georgia. If you are considering BCBSGA insurance and have specific questions about the Tenet Health Systems terminated contract, please contact Medicoverage Inc.
UPDATE: http://www.medicoverage.com/health-insurance-blog/news/tenet-and-blue-cross-blue-shield-of-georgia-finally-come-to-an-agreement/
Will Georgia’s “Any Willing Provider” law apply to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia’s HMOs?
February 18, 2010
Author: Medicoverage Staff
The Georgia Commissioner of Insurance is meeting today to determine whether Georgia’s “Any Willing Provider” law applies to HMOs.
Background into the Any Willing Provider law
In 2007, Northeast Georgia Cancer Care, LLC (NEGCC) decided to end its HMO provider contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia, Inc. (BCBSHP) after a reimbursement dispute. NEGCC subsequently requested a significant increase in its reimbursement rates. As a result of NEGCC’s abrupt contract termination, BCBSHP negotiated an agreement with the largest oncology provider in the State to ensure that continuous cancer care could be provided to Athens’ area patients at a reasonable cost. In the intervening time, NEGCC contracted to participate in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia’s (BCBSGA) Indemnity and PPO networks. After ending its HMO contract, NEGCC later tried to re-enter the HMO network after they realized that these services would be provided by another provider.
Today’s Insurance Meeting
NEGACC now wants the Court to apply the Any Willing Provider law and force Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia to offer HMO contracts to their medical oncologists. Today’s decision will show us if the ‘any willing provider’ statute is applicable to HMOs. Stay tuned….
