Ascension Texas hospitals will remain in-network for people who have Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas health insurance plans.
The hospital system, which includes Dell Children’s Medical Center, had been set to become out-of-network Jan. 1. Patients would have faced significantly higher costs, including higher deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses, compared with in-network facilities.
The two parties entered intense negotiations in December and reached an agreement on reimbursement rates the insurance company will pay Ascension Texas providers for health services.
“By securing fair and sustainable reimbursement, we are able to continue supporting our caregivers, strengthening our ministries, and providing high-quality, compassionate care across the communities we serve,” Ascension Texas CEO Jamie Youssef said.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas said the agreement followed months of negotiations and preserves members’ access to Ascension care.
“After months of active negotiations, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas has agreed to terms that protect our members’ access to quality care offered by Ascension at cost-effective prices,” it said in a statement Wednesday.
Hospital systems and insurance companies regularly renegotiate reimbursement rates. The 2023 agreement between Ascension Texas and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas was set to expire Dec. 31 without a new deal in place.