CHI Memorial announced Friday that it has reached a new agreement with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST) that will allow BCBST-insured patients with Network P, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid to maintain in-network access to CHI Memorial physicians, nurses, services, and hospitals, including the Chattanooga Heart Institute, outpatient services, and CHI Memorial Medical Group.
In addition, CHI Memorial Health at Home will resume in-network status for these plans effective July 1.
The new agreement with BCBST includes Network P, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid.
However, CHI Memorial officials said, "Unfortunately in early May, BCBST made the decision to remove CHI Memorial from Network S effective July 1, 2024. We will work diligently with each Network S patient to find a solution for them to remain with CHI Memorial and its physicians. Visit
KeepCHIMemorial.org to explore these options."
Officials said, "This is a win for our patients, who deserve access to local, high-quality care, and we appreciate their patience as we have worked through this agreement.
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Our goal in working with BCBST has always been to reach an agreement that puts patients first and protects their access to the providers and services they know and trust. We are glad to have achieved that goal on behalf of our patients.
"We deeply appreciate the trust patients have placed in our team and look forward to continuing to serve them."
BlueCross officials said, "BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has reached a new agreement with CHI Memorial and its Illinois-based parent company, CommonSpirit. The contract allows BlueCross members covered by a Network P plan through an employer or a Medicare Advantage plan to continue receiving in-network care at CHI Memorial facilities, as well as with physicians at CHI Memorial Medical Group and The Chattanooga Heart Institute. The agreement also allows BlueCare members to continue to receive in-network care with CHI Memorial.
"This means there will be no disruption for Network P, Medicare Advantage, and BlueCare members seeking care at CHI Memorial."
“Our members and business customers rely on us to balance affordability with access to high-quality care,” said Marc Barclay, SVP, provider network management for BlueCross. “We’re pleased to reach an agreement that supports those needs for members and businesses in our Network P as well as individuals covered by our Medicare Advantage, BlueCare Tennessee, and BlueCare Plus plans.”
The initial three-year contract will automatically renew unless either party terminates it. “We hope this will help avoid similar situations for our members in the future,” Mr. Barclay added.
Leaders from BlueCross "expressed appreciation for the community’s patience and support as negotiations progressed."
Network S changes take effect July 1
Members should check their member ID cards to identify their network. The front of the BlueCross ID card will clearly show if a member has Network S, Network P or BlueAdvantage (Medicare Advantage). Members can then call the number on their member ID card so BlueCross can work to provide personal support for transitioning care, if necessary.
Members with a Network S plan will have in-network access to CHI Memorial through June 30. BCBST provided CHI Memorial multiple proposals with rate increases to keep the system’s physicians in Network S. CommonSpirit rejected these offers, choosing to keep their CHI Memorial Medical Group and Chattanooga Heart Institute providers from serving Network S members.
Starting July 1, Parkridge Health System will join Erlanger in Network S. For more details about the impact of this agreement as well as information about the services available from Parkridge and Erlanger facilities and providers, visit BCBSTNetworkUpdates.com.