May 28, 2009
Via Christi Regional Medical Center Joining Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Network in 2010
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is expanding its Wichita-area network to include Via Christi Regional Medical Center effective Jan. 1, 2010, according to Graham Bailey, vice president of corporate communications and public relations for the state’s largest health insurer.
When the new, five-year contract takes effect Jan. 1, 2010, it means the more than 110,000 BCBSKS members living in Sedgwick County can receive covered services at Via Christi Regional Medical Center as in-network benefits. This includes members who have the insurer’s Plan 65-Select Medicare supplement product.
“We continually strive to provide our members with the best network in Kansas, and recognize that our members value choice when it comes to selecting their care partners,” Bailey said. “We believe our members in the Wichita area, as well as those throughout southern Kansas, will be excited to have Via Christi Regional Medical Center in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas provider network beginning in 2010.”
Bailey said that BCBSKS and Via Christi have partnered on a limited basis under a special services contract for a number of years and “we look forward to building on that partnership in the future.
“Via Christi is a community-oriented provider with numerous programs and services that benefit all citizens of Wichita and Sedgwick County,” he said. “In addition, Via Christi is among the premier facilities in our service area and serves Kansans in a substantially larger area as a top referral hospital.”
Under the new agreement BCBSKS members who, in the past, have decided to receive services on an out-of-network basis at Via Christi now will have more convenience and less out-of-pocket costs.
“We’ve heard from so many families whose coverage is through Blue Cross that they wished they could come to us for all of their hospital care rather than for just those services covered under the limited service agreement,” said Michalene Maringer, president and chief executive officer of the Via Christi Wichita Health Network. “This contract will allow them to make that choice without any additional cost or inconvenience.”
For covered services received on or after Jan. 1, 2010, BCBSKS will send payments directly to Via Christi instead of reimbursing members who previously were responsible for paying the medical center. While BCBSKS members will continue to be responsible for appropriate deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, they no longer will pay an out-of-network penalty.
Bailey reminded members that this new contract with Via Christi is effective Jan. 1, 2010. For the remainder of 2009, Blue Cross members should continue to receive covered services at Wesley Medical Center in order to maximize their benefits.
“Wesley Medical Center will continue to welcome Blue Cross members and provide outstanding service to them as a contracting hospital during 2009,” Bailey said. “We have enjoyed a successful relationship with Wesley Medical Center for a number of years and expect to continue a mutually beneficial relationship for years to come. We are having meaningful and productive conversations with Wesley leaders and look forward to reaching an agreement with them for 2010 and beyond.”
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSKS is the state's largest health insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte.
About Via Christi Regional Medical Center
Via Christi Regional Medical Center is the state’s largest and most comprehensive provider of acute-care services, offering specialized heart, cancer, neuroscience, Level 1 Trauma, burn, organ transplant, women’s and children’s and behavioral health care. Accredited by The Joint Commission, it is the only Kansas hospital to receive HealthGrades’ Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
For more information, please contact:
Graham Bailey, vice president of corporate communications and public relations, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, (785) 291-8846 or graham.bailey@bcbsks.com
Mary Beth Chambers, BCBSKS manager of corporate communications, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, (785) 291-8869 or mary.beth.chambers@bcbsks.com
Roz Hutchinson, director of communications and public relations, Via Christi Wichita Health Network, (316) 268-5645 or roz_hutchinson@via-christi.org
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