MCH, BCBS of Texas continue negotiating
May 30—Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Medical Center Hospital have extended their contracts one month to hammer out a deal that will keep MCH in network with the insurance provider.
Earlier this month, BCBS of Texas Director of Communications James T. Campbell said if the two entities weren't able to sign new contracts as of May 31, MCH would leave the network.
Campbell said the hospital was asking for price increases, but those increases weren't in the best interests of BCBS members and Odessa businesses. MCH officials, however, said the amount BCBS of Texas pays MCH is the lowest in the region.
On Tuesday evening, MCH Director of Public Relations Trevor Tankersley announced in a news release, the hospital had extended its contract with BCBS through June 30 "to allow additional time for our two organizations to finalize negotiations."
Tankersley said the two sides had made "substantial progress" in reaching new agreements "that put patients first and reflect the exceptional care our nurses and providers deliver every day."
"We are confident we can achieve a new, long-term contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas soon to ensure patients can continue in-network access to Medical Center Hospital, MCH outpatient clinics and ProCare physicians," Tankersley said.
