An impasse in ongoing negotiations between Regence BlueShield of Idaho and St. Joseph Regional Medical Center means the carrier’s insurance plans could soon no longer be accepted at the Lewiston hospital.
St. Joe’s recently sent Regence a letter notifying the insurer of its intention to leave its network January 15th, though both sides hope to find a resolution by then.
Regence says the disconnect is over how much the nonprofit insurer pays the for-profit medical center for hospital and physician services. The insurer says its will continue to work with the hospital to reach a fair resolution for its members in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley.
Those affected would be subject to much higher out-of-pocket costs for care at the hospital if a resolution isn’t reached by the January deadline.
In a statement, St. Joe’s says work continues to reach a contract agreement with Regence for hospital and physician services that is fair to both parties. (Lewiston Tribune)
