We are pleased to announce that Blue Shield and Sutter Health have signed a new 3-year agreement effective January 1, 2017. This means that Sutter Health hospitals and providers are part of Blue Shield’s statewide network.
Blue Shield – Sutter Health Contract Expired, Negotiations Continue
Blue Shield of California and Sutter Health have been engaged in discussions on rates and terms for a new network contract (HMO/PPO and in some cases, Group Medicare Advantage). Though we are still actively involved in negotiations, the current contract expired at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2016 and Sutter Health is no longer Blue Shield’s in-network provider effective January 1, 2017.
Sutter Reaches Agreement With Health Net For 2017
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.
Blue Shield Billing Issues Result In Credits And Extra Charges To Members
Blue Shield of California has experienced ongoing system issues that have recently been corrected. As a result of these issues, some Individual and Family Plan members received past billing statements showing incorrect amounts due. Affected members will receive a detailed statement of corrections for these past months and, in some cases, previous years, in their January billing statements. Those who have been over billed will be credited, and those who have been under billed will only be responsible for adjustments to the December premium, not for past months of accrued charges.
Blue Shield of California Responds to ACA Questions After Presidential Election
After the presidential election, it is likely that you will receive questions regarding the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how it could affect our customers. While we do not yet know the full outcome, we do know that the ACA and Covered California is working for over 21 million Americans and repealing or replacing it would not be a simple or fast process.
Blue Shield and Health Net Alert Agents to Potential Loss of Sutter Hospitals and Doctors
Blue Shield of California and Health Net are two of the health plans that are currently in negotiations with Sutter Health regarding contracted in-network doctors and hospitals for 2017. Both health insurance companies are alerting agents to the potential that Sutter hospitals and doctors may not be covered in many of their health plans in 2017 if they don’t come to an agreement soon.
Blue Shield’s New PCP Assignment FAQs for PPO Plans
In 2017, we will be selecting a primary care physician (PCP) for you so you can begin building a relationship with your doctor. As a PPO member, read our frequently asked questions about choosing a PCP.
Blue Shield Partners with CVS for New Pharmacy Drug Benefits Program
Blue Shield has entered into an agreement with CVS Health to support manufacturer rebate and pharmacy network contracting for its outpatient pharmacy benefit and has received approval from the Department of Managed Health Care.
Blue Shield $5 Teladoc Consultations for 2017
Blue Shield of California will make Teladoc consultations a $5 copayment for members of their individual and family plans. The $5 Teladoc consultation will be available to both Blue Shield’s HMO and PPO non-grandfathered plans in 2017.
Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Prescription Drug Benefit Changes
We are notifying the members in the following closed plans that their prescription drug coverage will be considered non-creditable in 2017, which is a change from 2016, when their prescription drug coverage was considered creditable. This means that the coverage offered by their plan is not expected to pay out as much as standard Medicare prescription drug coverage pays.