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Agreement between insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield and Phoenix Children’s Hospital expires

Phoenix Children's Hospital
Sky Schaudt/KJZZ
Phoenix Children's Hospital.

An agreement between insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield and Phoenix Children’s Hospital expired on Thursday, leaving a number of patients without in-network coverage at those hospitals.

According to a statement released to business leaders, Phoenix Children’s says Blue Cross Blue Shield has denied payments for services deemed medically necessary.

Phoenix Children’s also claims Blue Cross Blue Shield has “been unwilling to agree to fair reimbursement rates that align to the cost of care and are comparable with other payers in the market.”

Phoenix Children’s recommends those with children receiving care in their system review of a full list of plans accepted by the hospital system.

Officials with Blue Cross Blue Shield say the hospital system demanded changes to their agreement that would have led to inappropriate billing.

Hospital officials said emergency services will still be provided.

Ignacio Ventura is a reporter for KJZZ. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and a minor in news media and society.
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