FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: MARSHA
TAPSCOTT
(662)
377-3193
BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD OF ALABAMA
EXTENDS DEADLINE,
POSTPONES CANCELLATION OF
NMMC-TUPELO CONTRACT
Visit. www.nmhs.net for an electronic version of this article.
TUPELO, Miss. – North
Mississippi Medical Center officials have received word from BlueCross
BlueShield of Alabama that the insurance provider has postponed the
cancellation of its contract with NMMC-Tupelo from Sept. 30 to Dec. 31.
“We appreciate their extending the deadline
marking their cancellation of our contract,” said Gerald Wages, NMMC chief
operating officer. “This extension will be appreciated by patients who are
referred from North Mississippi Medical Center-Hamilton to the medical center
in Tupelo for specialty care.”
The notice for termination was prompted by
national BlueCross contract rules. Correspondence from BlueCross of Alabama to
NMMC said the national association’s rules indicate that state associations are
not allowed to have agreements with out-of-state hospitals unless they are
located in a county bordering the state line.
Hamilton, Ala., is located in Marion County along
the state’s western border and is adjacent to Itawamba County in Mississippi.
The major thoroughfare connecting Hamilton, Ala., and Tupelo is U.S. 78.
“We’ve had a good relationship with BlueCross
BlueShield of Alabama for many years,” Wages said. “We haven’t had any
disagreement with them.” NMMC entered a preferred provider agreement with
BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama in the mid-1990s.
After the cancellation of the contract on Dec.
31, NMMC will offer direct discounts to BlueCross BlueShield policyholders that
utilize inpatient and outpatient services at the Tupelo hospital. “Ideally, we would like to find a way to
continue to do business with BlueCross of Alabama so they wouldn’t have to
cancel their contract with us. Our other option is to offer discounts directly
to patients caught in the middle,” Wages said. “As always, our first priority
is the welfare of the patient. Patients who utilize NMMC-Tupelo will receive
the same discounts as those provided to BlueCross of Mississippi patients.”
NMMC’s Business Services offers a “BlueCross Help
Line” for BlueCross BlueShield patients. The help line is designed to help
individuals who have questions about their policy’s coverage for services and
billing questions. The help line’s number is 1-888-615-0595 and is staffed from
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
NMMC encourages individuals who
are covered by BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama and have questions to utilize
this free service.
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