BCBSTX negotiates new contract with Ascension

Thousands could be affected

By Megan Wehring megan@haysfreepress.com

HAYS COUNTY — As a looming deadline is quickly approaching, thousands of Texans could be affected if an agreement is not reached between a major hospital system and one of the state’s largest insurance providers. The current contract between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) and Ascension Texas is set to expire on Jan.

31. Without a new agreement, Ascension hospitals will leave the Blue Choice PPO, Blue Essentials, Blue Advantage HMO and Medicare Advantage PPO networks on Feb. 1. Ascension hospitals will remain in the Medicare Advantage (HMO) and Medicaid networks.

Ascension doctors would also be removed from the Blue Choice PPO, Blue Essentials and Medicare Advantage