Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska rejected the latest proposal by CHI Health as a way to end a contract dispute. CHI Health CEO Dr. Cliff Robertson says they are disappointed an agreement was not reached. Blue Cross stated CHI Health did reduce their rates slightly in Omaha but increased rates in Lincoln. Dr. Robertson explains why.
Blue Cross dropped CHI Health from their provider network earlier this year saying they charged 20 to 30% more than other health care facilities in the region. Blue Cross says CHI Health didn’t reduce costs enough and actually increased rates in Lincoln and other areas.
Robertson says they still saved the insurer money.
Robertson says they are seeing a reduction in patients but expects that to be a short-term problem. He says they are doing everything they can to still provide out-of-network patients quality care and service.
