Tenet Healthcare, Blue Shield of California Renew Contract
Officials for Santa Barbara-based Tenet Healthcare and San Francisco-based Blue Shield of California on Monday announced that they have agreed to a new contract that will give Blue Shield's 2.7 million members access to "all covered inpatient and outpatient services" at 34 Tenet hospitals, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. The contract, which extends a previous agreement by two years, comes as Tenet plans to sell many of its hospitals in the state by the end of the year. However, Blue Shield spokesperson Elise Anderson said the insurer is not concerned about any potential changes in ownership at Tenet facilities, adding, "We are willing to work with any new partners." David Joyner, a senior vice president at Blue Shield, said the contract will help the insurer better forecast hospital costs, reduce bill charges and ensure "network stability for our members" (Pondel, Los Angeles Daily News, 5/17).
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