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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A letter from one of Nebraska's biggest medical networks suggests a costs dispute with a major insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield, likely will continue into next year.
UniNet Healthcare Network, the CHI Health entity that negotiates contracts with doctors and insurers, shared that likelihood in letters to insurance brokers. CHI Health has been out of Blue Cross Blue Shield's network since Sept. 1, after its contract was terminated.
"We do not believe we will be in-network for all of 2015 unless there is some dramatic movement" on the part of Blue Cross Blue Shield, said an email from UniNet's president, Ann Oasan, to Vice President Lee Handke of Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Blue Cross has said CHI Health, which used to be Alegent Creighton Health, routinely charges 10 to 30 percent more than other Omaha hospitals. CHI Health has said those figures are misleading and that its total cost of treatment is lower even if certain services cost more.
CHI Health said the latest proposal from Blue Cross would force CHI to cut back its staffing.
The old contract covered all CHI Health hospitals in Omaha, Schuyler and Plainview. It also included hospitals in Lincoln, Grand Island, Kearney and Nebraska City affiliated with Catholic Health Initiatives.
A network of doctors in the Omaha area also is affected by the contract. Blue Cross said 620 of those roughly 1,400 doctors have changed their affiliation, so they could remain in network.
Hospitals, clinics and doctors' offices that aren't affiliated with the Catholic Health Initiatives network have reported an influx of patients since the CHI-Blue Cross contract expired.
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