OSF HealthCare has announced it has reached an agreement with Health Alliance for in-network coverage at hospitals in Danville and Urbana. ‘’We are pleased there will be no in-network disruption for Health Alliance members who come to us seeking care,’’ said a statement released by OSF HealthCare.
Talks are continuing in an effort to reach an agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. Just days before Thanksgiving, OSF resolved its Blue Cross Blue Shield contract with ten hospitals in Illinois. At that time the insurance company was unwilling to discuss the two Presence hospitals in Danville and Urbana despite repeated requests, according to a statement from OSF HealthCare. It says Blue Cross Blue Shield made its first proposal on January 15th, just two weeks prior to the hospitals joining OSF.
The statement released by OSF to VermilionCountyFirst.com News says BCBS has been unwilling to provide reimbursement rates consistent with hospitals in communities such as Bloomington, Ottawa, Pontiac, and Galesburg. In addition, the statement says Blue Cross Blue Shield has been unwilling to provide reimbursement similar to other key payers’ rates in Urbana and Danville.
Even though there is no agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield, patients can still use the hospitals if they have that insurance company. They will be considered out-of-network, however, on their insurance coverage.
OSF HealthCare takes over the Presence hospitals in Danville and Urbana at midnight tonight (January 31st, 2018). Presence United Samaritans Medical Center becomes OSF HealthCare Sacred Heart Medical Center, and Covenant Medical Center in Urbana becomes OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center.
