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BlueCross BlueShield of TN Network S subscribers have options to remain with CHI Memorial and its physicians. 

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CHI Memorial Reaches Agreement with BCBST for Network P, Medicare and Medicaid

Updated June 19, 2024


CHI Memorial is pleased to share that we have reached a new agreement with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST) for continued participation in their Network P, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid plans.

This means our patients with BCBST Network P, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid will maintain uninterrupted in-network access to the high-value CHI Memorial hospitals and providers they depend upon for their care. Patients will continue to see their providers as normal, with no changes to appointments or billing.

This agreement will ensure these patients’ continued access to CHI Memorial physicians, nurses, services, and hospitals including The Chattanooga Heart Institute, outpatient services, CHI Memorial Medical Group, and CHI Memorial Health at Home.

Our goal in working with BCBST has always been to reach an agreement that puts patients first and protects their access to the providers and services they know and trust. We are glad to have achieved that goal on behalf of our patients.

We deeply appreciate the trust patients have placed in our team and look forward to continuing to serve them.

Important Exclusion to Our New Agreement: Network S 

Unfortunately, in early May, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST) announced their decision to remove CHI Memorial from Network S effective July 1, 2024.

OPTIONS TO REMAIN WITH CHI MEMORIAL AND ITS PHYSICIANS FOR NETWORK S PATIENTS:

The best option for Network S patients to remain with CHI Memorial and its physicians is to switch to a plan that includes CHI Memorial. These options include the following:

  • Cigna Local Plus which is the other competitive narrow network product in the community
  • BCBST Network P which is a broad network
  • View insurance plans offered that include CHI Memorial 

In many situations, employers may add these options to their insurance offerings as soon as July 1. Patients should discuss these options with their HR benefits department.

CHI MEMORIAL’S DECISION TO SUPPORT PATIENTS:

Network S Individual and Group PPO Plans: If the above options are not available to you until annual renewal, then CHI Memorial will support Network S PPO plan patients from July 1 through December 31, 2024, by accepting Network S patients at our hospitals and physician clinics in accordance with BCBST’s benefit coverage and prior authorization. This will include all CHI Memorial hospitals, The Chattanooga Heart Institute, and CHI Memorial Medical Group clinics.

Under the support arrangement, PPO Plan patients will be financially responsible for their out-of-pocket share at in-network benefit levels. CHI Memorial will accept BCBST’s lower out-of-network rates for our facility services. Again, we are accepting these lower rates for a six-month period of time to support our patients, in response to the overwhelming requests we have received to allow patients time to change to another insurance plan that includes CHI Memorial and its physicians.

Network S EPO/HMO Plans: If you have a plan that may not have out-of-network coverage such as an Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) or a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan, you may continue to receive care without BCBST out-of-network coverage from CHI Memorial and its physicians as a self-pay patient for a discount. CHI Memorial will bill the patient and then the patient may seek reimbursement from BCBST. Please call our hospital billing office at (800) 276-3614 or CHI Memorial Medical Group billing office at (833) 513-3903 for more information about payment obligations as a self-pay patient.

Out-of-State BlueCross BlueShield Plans: This also impacts Out-of-State BlueCross BlueShield plans that access Network S. If you have questions, please contact the number on the back of your insurance card.

Continuity of Care Option

Some patients undergoing treatment for certain conditions may be able to continue receiving care at in-network rates for a period of time after July 1, 2024, through a Continuity of Care benefit. CHI Memorial physicians will assist patients in completing and submitting the Continuity of Care form. The Continuity of Care form can be found here. Please complete your portion with your Chattanooga Heart Institute or CHI Memorial Medical Group physician and then submit the form to BCBST. BCBST makes the final determination about eligibility for Continuity of Care benefits.

Emergency Care Coverage

Please remember, emergency care is always covered in-network. Insurance companies are legally required to cover true emergency department care at an in-network benefit level.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

CHI Memorial is pleased to announce that we have reached a new agreement with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST) that will allow BCBST CHI Memorial is pleased to announce that we have reached a new agreement with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST) that will allow BCBST Network P, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid patients to maintain in-network access to CHI Memorial physicians, nurses, services, and hospitals. This agreement includes The Chattanooga Heart Institute, outpatient services, CHI Memorial Medical Group, and CHI Memorial Hospital at Home.

This is a win for our patients who deserve access to high-quality, high-value health care services close to home, and we appreciate their patience as we have worked through this agreement. 

Unfortunately, BCBST made a decision to remove CHI Memorial from Network S effective July 1, 2024. To give patients time to switch to an insurance plan that contracts with CHI Memorial during the open enrollment period, Network S PPO patients may continue seeing their CHI Memorial physician at out-of-network rates through December 31, 2024. After December 31, 2024, if a Network S patient wishes to continue seeing a CHI Memorial provider, they will need to enroll in a plan that contracts with CHI Memorial or self-pay for all appointments and procedures. Network S patients should visit the Network S page to explore options for remaining with CHI Memorial and its physicians.


 

Yes, BCBST members covered by Network P, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid plans are still able to access in-network care from CHI Memorial physicians, nurses, services, and hospitals. This agreement includes The Chattanooga Heart Institute Hospitals, outpatient services, CHI Memorial Medical Group, and CHI Memorial Health at Home.

For Network S Patients Only

  • Unfortunately, in early May, BCBST made the decision to remove CHI Memorial from Network S effective July 1, 2024. For these patients to remain with CHI Memorial and its physicians, the following solutions are available:
    • Cigna Local Plus: This is a competitive narrow network product.
    • BCBST Network P: This is a broad network offered by BCBST.
    • View insurance plans offered that include CHI Memorial. 
  • Network S Individual and Group PPO Plans: If you have an individual or group Network S PPO plan, CHI Memorial has made the decision to support you from July 1 through December 31, 2024, by continuing to accept Network S patients at our hospitals and physician clinics at out-of-network rates in accordance with BlueCross’s prior authorization. 

  • This will include all CHI Memorial hospitals, The Chattanooga Heart Institute, and CHI Memorial Medical Group clinics.

  • Under the support arrangement, PPO Plan patients will be financially responsible for their out-of-pocket share at in-network benefit levels. CHI Memorial will accept BCBST’s lower out-of-network rates for our facility services. Again, we are accepting these lower rates for a six-month period of time to support our patients, in response to the overwhelming requests we have received to allow patients time to change to another insurance plan that includes CHI Memorial and its physicians. 

  • This also impacts Out-of-State BlueCross BlueShield plans that access Network S. If patients have questions about which network they are in, they should contact the number on the back of their insurance card. 

  • Network S EPO/HMO Plans: If you have a plan that may not have out-of-network coverage such as an Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) or a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan, you may continue to receive care without BCBST out-of-network coverage from CHI Memorial and its physicians as a self-pay patient for a discount. CHI Memorial will bill the patient and then the patient may seek reimbursement from BCBST. Please call our hospital billing office at (800) 276-3614 or CHI Memorial Medical Group billing office at (833) 513-3903 for more information about payment obligations as a self-pay patient.

Please visit the Network S page to explore options for remaining with CHI Memorial and its physicians.

 

Network P, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid patients insured through BCBST will have uninterrupted in-network access to CHI Memorial physicians, nurses, services, and hospitals.

From the beginning, our goal has been to ensure we can continue to meet the needs of our patients today and in the future. We know these negotiations were stressful for our patients, the communities we serve, and our own team. 

We are immensely grateful for your support throughout this process and as we continue to advance our mission.

We look forward to continuing to serve patients for generations to come.

Yes, but unfortunately, BCBST made a decision to remove CHI Memorial from Network S effective July 1, 2024.

OPTIONS TO REMAIN WITH CHI MEMORIAL AND ITS PHYSICIANS:

The best option for Network S patients to remain with CHI Memorial and its physicians is to switch to a plan that includes CHI Memorial. These options include the following:

  • Cigna Local Plus: This is a competitive narrow network product.
  • BCBST Network P: This is a broad network offered by BCBST.
  • View insurance plans offered that include CHI Memorial 

In many situations, employers may add these options to their insurance offerings as soon as July 1, 2024. Patients should discuss these options with their HR benefits department.

CHI MEMORIAL’S DECISION TO SUPPORT PATIENTS:

Network S Individual and Group PPO Plans:  If the above options are not available to you until annual renewal, then CHI Memorial will support Network S PPO plan patients from July 1 through December 31, 2024, by accepting Network S patients at our hospitals and physician clinics in accordance with BCBST’s benefit coverage and prior authorization. This will include all CHI Memorial hospitals, The Chattanooga Heart Institute, and CHI Memorial Medical Group clinics.

  • Under the support arrangement, PPO Plan patients will be financially responsible for their out-of-pocket share at in-network benefit levels. CHI Memorial will accept BCBST’s lower out-of-network rates for our facility services. Again, we are accepting these lower rates for a six-month period of time to support our patients, in response to the overwhelming requests we have received to allow patients time to change to another insurance plan that includes CHI Memorial and its physicians.

Network S EPO/HMO Plans: If you have a plan that may not have out-of-network coverage such as an Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) or a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan, you may continue to receive care without BCBST out-of-network coverage from CHI Memorial and its physicians as a self-pay patient for a discount. CHI Memorial will bill the patient and then the patient may seek reimbursement from BCBST. Please call our hospital billing office at (800) 276-3614 or CHI Memorial Medical Group billing office at (833) 513-3903 for more information about payment obligations as a self-pay patient.

CONTINUITY OF CARE OPTION

Some Network S patients undergoing treatment for certain conditions may be able to continue receiving care at in-network rates for a period of time after July 1, 2024, through a Continuity of Care benefit. CHI Memorial physicians will assist patients in completing and submitting the Continuity of Care form. For your convenience, the Continuity of Care form is available here. Please complete your portion with your Chattanooga Heart Institute or CHI Memorial Medical Group physician and then submit the form to BCBST. BCBST makes the final determination about eligibility for Continuity of Care benefits.

EMERGENCY CARE COVERAGE

Please remember, emergency care is always covered in-network. Insurance companies are legally required to cover true emergency department care at an in-network benefit level.

Additional information about how to continue access to CHI Memorial and its physicians can be found on the Network S page is available by calling the hospital billing office at (800) 276-3614 or the CHI Memorial Medical Group billing office at (833) 513-3903.

After December 31, 2024, if a Network S patient wishes to continue seeing a CHI Memorial provider, they will need to enroll in a plan that contracts with CHI Memorial or self-pay for all appointments and procedures. Additional information about how to continue access to CHI Memorial and its physicians can be found on the Network S page or by calling the CHI Memorial Medical Group billing office at (833) 513-3903. For hospital billing questions, please call (800) 276-3614.