Thousands of patients lose access to doctors after Memorial Hermann, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas fail to reach agreement

CORRECTION: In a previous Click2Houston article, KPRC incorrectly reported that UTHealth Houston employees were given exemptions for Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage. The story also incorrectly implied there was confusion concerning Blue Cross Blue Shield’s coverage for regular patients. KPRC apologizes to UTHealth Houston and regrets the error.


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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and Memorial Hermann failed to reach an agreement this week which resulted in Memorial Hermann hospitals, surgery centers and some doctors now being out of network for thousands of patients with BCBSTX insurance plans.

The two organizations had until Feb. 28 to come to an agreement.

BCBSTX and Memorial Hermann provided statements to KPRC 2 with information for patients, which you will find below.

Despite the termination which occurred on March 1, both sides say they will continue to work toward an agreement to restore services.

Information released by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas

If the statement above does not display on your device, please click here.

Statement sent to KPRC 2 from Memorial Hermann

Despite Memorial Hermann’s diligent and tireless efforts to reach an agreement prior to our contract expiration date with BlueCross BlueShield of Texas (BCBSTX), we are disheartened to share that BCBSTX dropped us from its network, effective March 1, 2022.

Regrettably, we do not believe BCBSTX worked to negotiate with us in good faith, despite our efforts to exhaust all options and offer creative solutions that should have been mutually agreeable to all parties.

As a result of its inflexible position, BCBSTX has disrupted care for thousands of our shared patients and members who no longer have in-network access to their trusted providers and more than 265 of the system’s hospitals and care delivery sites. This isn’t right.

Memorial Hermann remains committed to engaging with BCBSTX in meaningful discussions that put our shared patients and members first, but we will not accept any Physician Group or Accountable Care Program proposal from BCBSTX that dismantles the essential resources that allow Memorial Hermann to deliver exceptional and affordable care.

We encourage patients to visit www.ChooseMH.org for up-to-date information regarding our negotiations, and to learn more about how they can maintain their in-network access to Memorial Hermann.

If either statement above does not display on your device, please click here.


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