Ascension to stay in-network with BCBS

Ascension Texas hospitals will remain in-network for people who have Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas health insurance plans.

The hospital system, which includes Dell Children's Medical Center, had been set to become out-of-network Jan. 1. Patients would have faced significantly higher costs, including higher deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses, compared with in-network facilities.

The two parties entered intense negotiations in December and reached an agreement on reimbursement rates the insurance company will pay Ascension Texas providers for health services.

"By securing fair and sustainable reimbursement, we are able to continue supporting our caregivers, strengthening our ministries, and providing high-quality, compassionate care across the communities we serve," Ascension Texas CEO Jamie Youssef said.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas said the agreement followed months of negotiations and preserves members' access to Ascension care.

"After months of active negotiations, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas has agreed to terms that protect our members' access to quality care offered by Ascension at cost-effective prices," it said in a statement Wednesday.

Blue Cross' plans that would have been affected include:

Blue Choice PPO

Blue Essentials

Blue Advantage HMO

My Blue Health

Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (PPO)

Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (HMO)

Blue Advantage HMO

The Central Texas hospitals and clinics that would have been affected include:

Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas

Ascension Seton Medical Center, Dell Children's

Ascension Seton Southwest

Ascension Seton Northwest

Ascension Seton Cedar Park

Ascension Seton Hays

Ascension Seton Williamson in Round Rock

Ascension Seton Bastrop

Ascension Seton Smithville

Ascension Seton Highland Lakes in Burnet

Ascension Seton Edgar B. Davis in Luling

Ascension Providence in Waco

Hospital systems and insurance companies regularly renegotiate reimbursement rates. The 2023 agreement between Ascension Texas and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas was set to expire Dec. 31 without a new deal in place.