Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas has reached an agreement with two health care providers that were slated to separate from the health insurer. St. Francis Health Center in Topeka and Saint John Hospital in Leavenworth were planning to leave the insurance provider's network at the end of the year after contract negotiations stalled. The companies had sent out word recently warning consumers about a possible breakup. Mary Beth Chambers with Blue Cross says the hospitals and the insurer will work together on an "accountable care reimbursement model."
"That will look to give providers incentives for delivering high quality health care, while helping also to control the rising costs of health care services."
The disagreement was over the payments that Blue Cross would make to the facilities. Chambers says members will not see any interruption in their services or their Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas coverage.
