Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Press Release
Topeka, Kansas (July 27, 2023) – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS),
committed to healthcare affordability and broad access for its members, has reached an impasse in its contract negotiations with Salina Regional Health Center (SRHC). After two months of having a BCBSKS offer in hand, and multiple in-person visits and phone calls between the two organizations, SRHC is insisting on an additional increase on top of the new offer they were already presented. If fulfilled, this requested increase would come from higher premiums, co-insurance and deductibles for BCBSKS members and SRHC patients. This is not a move BCBSKS is willing to make.
“What Salina Regional is demanding is unreasonable and unsustainable for the hard-working Kansans we serve,” said Matt All, BCBSKS president/CEO. “When they demand more from us, they’re really demanding more from you and the employers in your community.” If SRHC chooses to leave the BCBKS network, they would be the only eligible hospital in Kansas considered out-of-network. They have until Sept. 3 to notify BCBSKS if they plan to leave. Should they make that decision, BCBSKS members will still be able to access in-network care at the hospital and its clinics through Dec. 31, 2023. Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, members may be able to continue regular care and services with their local hospital and
providers, but the process for reimbursement would look different than it does today.
It is also important to note that emergency care will always be covered by BCBSKS with no out-of-network penalties. BCBSKS will continue to leave the lines of communication open in hopes that SRHC will not decide to leave the network.
“For more than 80 years, as fellow Kansans, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has stood by our members and providers to provide unmatched local access to healthcare,” said All. “We remain committed to that, but we will not do so at the sacrifice of our members’ hard-earned dollars.” There would be no changes to the way Medicare Supplement members access in-network care through SRHC. Members who purchased individual coverage on healthcare.gov will no
longer have coverage at SRHC unless it is an emergency service. If members choose to receive out-of-network care at SRHC, they would have to pay 100% of the cost of care.
Find the most up-to-date information at bcbsks.com/srhc. Members with specific questions about their coverage should contact BCBSKS Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-800-432-3990.