BLUE CROSS: Talks With UC-Davis Look Positive
Blue Cross of California and University of California-Davis Medical Center "said Tuesday they will continue discussing a new reimbursement contract to replace the one that just expired," the Sacramento Bee reports. The positive nature of the talks "contrasts sharply" with the pointed disagreements going on between Blue Cross and other hospital systems over reimbursement rates -- Mercy , Catholic Healthcare West and Sutter Health. While the "old contract will stay in effect until a new one is reached," UC-Davis would not specify what provisions it is seeking in a new contract. The Bee reports that a Blue Cross official had an "upbeat" attitude about the talks. "We're very optimistic with these folks," said Blue Cross spokesperson Cynthia Coulter, who noted that Blue Cross is "a ready target" for hospitals wanting better rates because it is one of California's largest plans. Blue Cross covers 4.4 million people in California, and UC-Davis admitted more than 1,200 Blue Cross members last year (Young, 7/1).
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