MultiCare may go out-of-network for Premera patients amid negotiations

*Update*-- Premera and MultiCare continue contract negotiations, but there are ways to continue in-network access.

When we spoke to MultiCare, they said they can still see Premera patients.

"From our perspective, we're still gonna open and provide care to anybody," Davenport said. "Really it would be on the insurance end so that when patients come see us, they would have to understand for their insurance plan that their co-insurance or their co-pays may increase."

A link for ways to continue in-network care and other information can be found here.

https://www.multicare.org/patient-resources/billing/insurance/premera-blue-cross/

-Original Story-

YAKIMA, Wash.-- Premera Blue Cross will be considered out-of-network, but both sides are currently negotiating.

According to a statement by MultiCare, all of their hospitals in Washington including MultiCare Yakima Memorial, would be considered out-of-network for patients with Premera commercial, individual exchange, and Medicare advantage health plans.

Tanny Davenport the chief medical officer for MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital, tells us they are hoping Premera pays fairly with where the market rate is.

"What we need to do is be paid fairly so we can invest not only in our workforce, but also our infrastructure so we can expand services to the Yakima community," Davenport said.

The statement from MultiCare also says Premera has reimbursed them below the inflation rate since 2019. They say it is not sustainable and jeopardizes access for hospitals, urgent cares, and 1,000 health care providers among others in Washington State.

MultiCare and Premera Blue Cross are in negotiations as we speak.

They say no changes will be made for patients, and they encourage you to continue care with them.

If additional details arise, we'll keep you updated.