BLUE CROSS/SUTTER: Temporary Deal Struck For Enrollees
"Blue Cross of California will continue paying the health care bills of its members at Sutter Health hospitals until June 30," the insurer announced Friday. On Thursday, contract negotiations between Blue Cross and Sutter broke down, meaning that "after the June 30 extension, Blue Cross members will face higher co-payments or no reimbursements at all for non-emergency care at Sutter Health hospitals." A Blue Cross spokesperson said the insurer made the decision to extend benefits until June 30 because it "would be more patient friendly." In addition, "any health care procedures authorized at a Sutter Health Hospital before Friday will be covered through December 31," including "surgery, cancer treatments, home health visits and maternity" services. The contract termination affects services in 26 Sutter hospitals in Northern California for members of Blue Cross' Prudent Buyer preferred provider plan and CaliforniaCare HMO (Young, 5/16).
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