Blue Protect of California and the College of California introduced a brand new settlement Tuesday afternoon that each side say will keep affected person entry to school amenities statewide.
Although the insurance coverage firm’s synopsis of the deal didn’t state a time period, and Blue Protect declined to offer further particulars Tuesday afternoon, a spokesperson for the College of California Workplace of the President stated that the pact is “for a three-year period that will avoid any gaps in access to our care for patients who are Blue Shield members.”
These in well being administration group plans have been probably the most involved concerning the scenario after 1000’s throughout the state obtained new medical identification playing cards that assigned them to totally different main care medical doctors, basically signaling that the 2 sides have been far sufficient aside in negotiations that the insurer deemed it prudent to start making alternate preparations.
Blue Protect stated Tuesday that it’ll take steps to unwind that motion.
“With the approval of the Department of Managed Health Care, Blue Shield is in the process of reassigning HMO members back to their UC Health primary care providers, effective July 10, 2025,” the corporate stated. “These members won’t have to name Blue Protect to maintain their UC Well being main care suppliers.
“HMO members can change their primary care provider at any time by calling the number on the back of their insurance card.”
However whereas the scenario seems to be resolved, each side included language indicating that this deal is just not technically full. Blue Protect stated that the brand new contract is “pending the completion of formal contract renewal documents and necessary Department of Managed Health Care approvals.”
The college stated that it expects to finish closing contract particulars within the coming weeks. And, it seems that there are nonetheless areas the place the 2 sides have work to do.
“Though the network agreement is settled, we continue to work with Blue Shield — as we do with other health plans — to address ongoing challenges with delayed claims processing and reimbursement for care already provided to our patients,” the college stated.
Blue Protect is a serious possibility for beneficiaries of the California Workers’ Retirement System with some accounts estimating that about 35,000 state retirees in Blue Protect plans get their care from college well being methods statewide.
Initially Printed:
