Following last week’s announcement, Mary Washington Healthcare When Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Unless a disagreement over reimbursement rates can be resolved, the two sides will go their separate ways, with both sides blaming the other and customers caught in a dilemma, left with anxiety and confusion.
national anthem notified thousands of people at Fredericksburg the area Mary Washington Healthcare And all its hospitals, clinics and providers (more than 500 in total) will be disconnected from the network. March 1st. but, national anthem Until then, we will continue to treat MWHC as our preferred provider. April 1stwhich is 90 days from the date of the letter.
Neither party has disclosed how many people have been affected. In 2012, when the two sides had a similar dispute, national anthem Over 77,000 clients Fredericksburg range.
MWHC claims to continue to speak weekly. national anthem, the state’s largest commercial insurer, wants to solve this problem. MWHC said he decided in September to call for fairness and terminate his existing contract. Eric FletcherSenior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Health Systems.
“In reality, we are not paid the same as everyone else. Virginia provider.paid 24% less than national anthemAverage payment to other providers,” he said. national anthem Agree to approximate the average payment rate over the new contract period. We believe it’s more than fair. ”
But national anthemspokesperson for Colin ManningThe two said they had not reached an agreement, “Mary Washington wants to raise prices for members and businesses by more than three times the rate of inflation each year over the next few years. The impact of already high inflation will be felt. This is because it places a huge burden on the families and businesses receiving it.”
Manning said most of them national anthem That is, “the increased cost of medical services will be paid directly by those customers.”
national anthemMWHC’s disagreement with Cigna’s health insurance company May 2021when the parties were unable to reach an agreement on the fee.
MWHC argued that it could not absorb Cigna’s proposed 30% cut, and Cigna said it could not keep MWHC in its network. Holly HusselSenior Advisor of Communications at Cigna.
MWHC will be out of Cigna’s network for six months until the disagreement is resolved.
‘Live or die’
Janet Dodgewho lives Stafford Countysaid insurance disputes affect a great many people.
“My mother is one of them,” she wrote in an email. there is potential.”
The idea that you have to find an outside provider Mary Washington Healthcare An ever-growing system is tough. So does the prospect of keeping the same doctor and paying significantly higher out-of-network fees.
“I’m nervous about this health insurance,” he admitted. Joan Turco Rangel, spot sylvania county A resident whose husband, Isidro, has required three major surgeries in the past three years. “If we had to pay the difference[because we were off the network]we would have been bankrupt. Completely bankrupt.”
Both have Medicare as their primary insurance. national anthem as a secondary. In 2022 they paid $424 moon for cover. By 2023, the price will be $472 People often asked Turco Rangel why he chose such an expensive add-on plan.
“It covered everything, so in the long run it was worth the money spent,” she said.
“some confusion”
If MWHC and national anthem The Basic Option, the type of additional insurance Turco-Rangel has, will no longer pay secondary costs for MWHC services after Medicare pays for its portion, according to the letter.it also says national anthem Customers with FEP Blue Focus will get the same fixes as Rangels, but customers with Standard Option will continue to receive secondary coverage.
Then there’s the Medicare Supplement J issue. This is no longer offered, but Dot CurtisShe worked for 18 years at Fredericksburg Commissioner of the Department of Revenue and has some knowledge of tax documents and insurance regulations.
Although she did not receive a letter regarding the change of plans, national anthem Just to be sure, please check the number on the back of your insurance card.Ann national anthem A spokesperson said the issue was national anthem As a primary insurance, not those who have it as a secondary insurance.
But that’s not what the letter says national anthem Mail.
When Curtis called Mary Washington Hospitala spokesperson there said the contract dispute affects all national anthem client.Curtis said the MWHC employee in the post said: Facebook The update on this issue said the same thing.
“A lot of people in my situation are really upset, so the hospital needs to come out with an explanation,” Curtis said.
It may be from king george county Resident Bob Baird He recently had all his and his wife’s medical Mary Washington HealthcareHe has Medicare as his primary insurance and Medicare Supplement F. national anthem.
he was told by someone national anthem A spokesperson said secondary coverage would continue, but a spokesperson for MWHC said it would not.
“So obviously there’s confusion,” he said.
covered or not?
freelance star Ask MWHC, national anthem Their reactions show the level of confusion with complex insurance issues.
Fletcher said that Medicare supplement plans generally don’t have networks. These typically cover coinsurance costs, deductibles, and items Medicare doesn’t cover.
“They are intended to reduce out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries,” he said. There are outside benefits.”
The explanation is national anthemThis is a letter to our customers.
“But certainly, just national anthem Fletcher says: national anthemis the mercy of ”
MWHCs are national anthem on its website, marywashingtonhealthcare.com/patients-visitors/pay-my-bill/anthem-insurance-plans-qa/.
You can also call MWHC at 540/741-1041 if you have questions.
Manning initially replied, “The dismissal of Mary Washington will affect everything.” national anthem Members – Commercial, Medicaid and Medicare – this is why we encourage our members to seek care at other quality providers in our network.
but what about national anthem‘s own letter stating that Standard Option Medicare beneficiaries will continue to receive secondary coverage?
Manning clarified his statement to say the layoff affects everything national anthem Members of Commercial Insurance, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage.
national anthem handles contract disputes on its website, anthem.com/marywashington/. Customers with questions are encouraged to call the phone number on the back of their insurance card to obtain information about their specific plan.
Cathy Dyson: 540/[email protected]
