Fresno’s Community Health System and Blue Shield end stalemate, reach new agreement

Thousands of Fresno area patients with Blue Shield of California health insurance can now access in-network care through Central Valley’s largest healthcare provider.

On Tuesday, Community Health System and Blue Shield announced they had reached an agreement for a new multi-year contract after a nearly five month lapse in contract. The agreement, effective immediately, allow CHS facilities and affiliated providers to rejoin Blue Shield’s network of participating medical providers.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that restores access to care for the patients and communities we serve,” said Aldo De La Torre, division president for insurance services and managed care for Community Health System.

“Throughout this process, our focus has remained on ensuring Valley residents have access to high-quality healthcare close to home,” De La Torre said.

Greg Siebert, senior vice president of provider partnerships and network management at Blue Shield of California, welcomed Community Medical Centers back into the Blue Shield network in a news release.

“We’re excited to have reached an agreement that will expand our members’ access to affordable healthcare in Fresno,” Siebert said. “We’re grateful to our members and customers for standing with us.”

Thousands lost in-network access to their care at Community Health System after the two groups failed to agree on terms of a new contract by a Jan. 31 deadline.

CHS is the parent organization that owns Community Medical Center facilities including downtown Fresno’s Community Regional Medical Center, the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, Clovis Community Medical Center and Fresno Heart & Surgical Hospital.

It’s unclear how many San Joaquin Valley residents are insured with Blue Shield. Approximately 1,500 Fresno city workers have been affected, while in Madera County, approximately 3,200 Valley Children’s Hospital employees and physicians were also hit by the stalled negotiations.

The agreement is retroactive to February 1, 2026, meaning that claims for services received during the out-of-network period will be processed as in-network for Blue Shield members, the statement said.

City officials and medical professionals in the region expressed serious concern and urged the two parties to act with urgency and bargain in good faith after the contract lapsed earlier this year.

Members who have questions or need assistance are directed to call the toll-free member number listed on their Blue Shield member ID card.

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