Sutter Health
The following message is sent on behalf of Melissa Brendt, Sutter Health, Vice President of Managed Care & Chief Contracting Officer
December 30, 2016
Sutter Contracts with Health Net, Still Negotiates with Blue Shield
We are pleased to announce that Sutter Health has come to an agreement with Health Net for 2017. Sutter Health now has agreements in place for 2017 with all major health plans except Blue Shield, with which negotiations continue.
We are hopeful that the Blue Shield negotiations are resolved in a timely fashion. Please note that it is not uncommon for negotiations between providers and plans to run into a new year. Sutter Health’s existing agreement with Blue Shield provides a six-month transition period to account for this possibility and to minimize patient disruption. Under these provisions, PPO patients can continue to see their Sutter Health providers for up to six months while we work towards agreement. For existing HMO patients, Blue Shield has the option to allow patients to continue to see their Sutter Health providers for the transition period. If Blue Shield chooses instead to transfer these HMO patients to different providers, it must provide them 60 days written notice in advance.
We will keep you informed of any significant developments related to our health plan renewals. As always, we will also post information on our website related to the status of our negotiations for 2017 and the products Sutter providers currently participate in for each health plan accepted:
http://www.sutterhealth.org/openenrollment/accepted-health-plans.html
Sutter Health Plan Search by Provider
http://www.sutterhealth.org/facilities/healthplan/healthplansearch.php