UMMC will continue to treat patients insured with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi as usual during the month of July. Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney said mediation proceeds will take place in July, as soon as Friday, July 6th.
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“In the meantime, UMMC has agreed to proceed under the contract terms through the month of July pending the outcome of the negotiation,” Chaney said. “Blue Cross has agreed to continue to pay their network rates as they are now doing.”
Commissioner Mike Chaney releases update on #UMMC and #BCBSMS Contract Dispute. https://t.co/KHvJFH0ks8 pic.twitter.com/OTcbvgpjtj
— MS Insurance Dept. (@MSInsuranceDept) June 29, 2018
UMMC said that they are looking forward to meeting with Blue Cross.
“We will extend our contract with BCBSMS through July and not go out of network with them on July 1,” said a statement from UMMC. “We look forward to meeting Blue Cross at the negotiating table to work together to establish a health care partnership that will benefit all Mississippians.”
Chaney added that if consumers have any issues or concerns they should contact the Mississippi Department of Insurance. While the crisis has been averted for at least 30 days, negotiations will still need to take place to iron out the issues and possibly a new contract for the hospital.
“Right now they don’t have a resolution, they just agreed not to cancel the contract,” Chaney said.
