A look into how three complicated, and currently unfolding, situations could impact Texans' access to healthcare and health insurance coverage in the near future.First up, there's the tussle between Baylor Scott and White Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, who are engaged in a back-and-forth over terms that could jeopardize those with BCBS plans being able to still receive in-network coverage at Baylor Scott and White Health facilities.
Specifically, the negotiations center around a disparity between the increased, post-pandemic reimbursement rates Baylor Scott and White is requesting and the amount that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas is willing to agree upon. Instead of awarding a contract to Cook Children's, the state plans to award the contracts to other insurers -- United Healthcare, Molina, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna -- in Tarrant and in five other Texas counties.
Steward said at that time of its bankruptcy filings that it doesn’t expect interruptions in the daily operations of its hospitals during the Chapter 11 process. But that hasn't necessarily calmed the concerns of legislators across the country, who have publicly stated their concerns that hospitals operated by Steward could shutter and leave many people -- particularly those in rural areas -- without nearby hospital facilities to serve their needs.