Medical Center, Blue Cross Blue Shield contract may end next month

March 23--Next month, the contract Blue Cross Blue Shield has with The Medical Center of Central Georgia, its hospital affiliates and Central Georgia Health Network is set to terminate.

The current contract will end April 24 unless a new agreement is reached, according to a news release issued Saturday by the hospital.

The parties have been in "negotiations for the past few months," the release stated.

This announcement comes about a week after The Medical Center's contract with Cigna health insurance ended. The state health benefit plan, now offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield, was provided by Cigna until last year.

While Blue Cross Blue Shield members are likely to receive official notification in the next few days as required by law, all parties involved are negotiating so no disruption to services will occur, the release said.

"Should the entities not reach a new agreement by that deadline, employers/employees across central Georgia will be affected as The Medical Center of Central Georgia, The Medical Center of Peach County, Central Georgia Rehabilitation Hospital and (Central Georgia Health Network) providers, including 841 physicians, transition to out of network status," the release stated.

The medical facilities involved are "cautiously optimistic that continued discussions will lead to a positive outcome before the April 24 deadline," according to the release.

Consumers may call 633-1130 or 866-669-2769 with questions or concerns.

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