Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska turned down CHI Health’s proposal that would end a contract dispute that places the health care provider out of network. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska Senior Vice President Pat Bourne says the proposal would have cut rates slightly in Omaha but that was offset by increasing charges at other facilities outside that market.

Bourne says BCBS tried to come to an agreement that would help those in central Nebraska where the choice of medical facilities is limited.

Bourne says CHI Health’s proposal would have increased their charges at Lincoln’s Nebraska Heart Hospital by 37% and a double digit increase at St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center. He says it would have also increased charges at a number of surgical centers across the state. Bourne says even though BCBS is not accepting the proposal they want to keep discussions open.