North Kansas City Health and BCBS reach a deal. What that means for patients
A Kansas City-area hospital and a widely used insurance company struck a deal this week after patients were informed their insurance would no longer be accepted at the Northland healthcare system.
Patients at North Kansas City Health will be able to continue using Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurance next month after the two entities reached a deal this week following stalled negotiations.
NKC Health informed patients last week that Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurance would no longer be accepted at the hospital beginning June 1 because the insurance company failed to meet its terms.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, which serves around 1 million members across the metro and northeast Missouri, then claimed the hospital had opted out of service, not the other way around.
BCBS, North Kansas City Health reach a deal
In a statement sent to The Star, the two companies confirmed they had reached a new agreement, effective Monday, when services would have ceased, that ensures patients will continue to have in-network care at NKC Health.
“We have reached an agreement that is fair, reasonable and designed to keep quality healthcare affordable for our employer groups and members while continuing to partner with NKC Health,” Jenny Housley, President of Blue KC, said in a statement.
If services had ceased, NKC Health officials said it would have caused a variety of issues for patients, including higher out-of-pocket costs, disruption to existing care plans, fewer options for trusted, local in-network providers and longer wait times for appointments if patients are forced to change providers.
“Keeping our patients at the center of every decision guided us throughout this process,” said Stephen Reintjes Sr., President and CEO of NKC Health. “We are pleased to continue to provide access to Blue KC members.”
