BCBS St Geary Community Hospitl

Has anyone be following what is going on with BCBS at Geary Hospital?  They have opted out of the BCBS network for 2009.    I had my RNY there 3 yrs ago, and without BCBS insurance I would not have been able to have surgery.  I think what the hospital is doing is wrong and is going to hurt a lot patients who want to have wls there.  If you want to find out more check out their website: www.gchks.org.  Please let them know your opinion about this.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been following the proceedings very closely.  And I must say that I understand your frustrations.  But I have to point out that BCBS is the big bad wolf in this case.  I can tell you that the hospital did not OPT out of being in-network, they were kicked out of in-network by BCBS.  The hospital would NOT choose to opt out of network despite what the big CEO's on BCBS are telling people.

To give you a little background here, every year the hospital receives a contract, which they either agree to or do not agree too.  Most times hospitals agree and life goes on normal.  However, BSBS only reimburses the hospital for 40% of the costs associated with treating their patients.  This meant that the hospital year after year had to absorb that cost.  But with the costs of treating patients going up and the reimbursement rate staying the same and even decreases on other procedures this year they simply said they would like to negotiate a better contract.  Other hospitals do this, this isn't anything out of the ordinary.   So the hospital was in negotiations, when all of a sudden they started receiving calls from patients who are BCBS subscribers were told the hospital would be out of network.  This was news to the hospital because they thought they were in negotiations.  BCBS then proceeded to tell the public the same line, but GCH would NEVER chose to opt out.  Regardless of what BCBS says, the hospital is in negotiations until December 31st and there is hope a deal will be reached still. 

The hospital is working on a discount plan for those BCBS subscribers who are not able to change plans.  As a result patients effected will not endure any higher cost than even if they were in-network.

Area businesses are being advised to carefully chose other health insurances that may consider the Hospital in-network.  There are some very good plans out there, that the hospital, USD475, and Geary County employees are now subscribing too.  As you know BCBS of KS in most cases excludes coverage for WLS.  Luckily the new insurance is likely to cover WLS, so the surgery may be available to people who otherwise would not have been eligible.  Most other insurance companies reimburse the hospitals anywhere from 60-80% of the cost associated with treatment of patients, BCBS only reimburses 40%. 

Good news!  GCH is back in-network for BCBS subscribers.  No word on whether the geary county, and city of jc's new health plan will cover the surgery.