Oct. 6, 2021
Update on Our Negotiation with Springfield Clinic
Applies to: Group and Retail, PPO and Blue Choice networks
We are continuing to work with Springfield Clinic on new agreements. It’s our hope that they will choose to stay in our PPO and Blue Choice networks. We’re working to protect our members’ and customers’ health care dollars and ensure they have access to quality health care based on value.
➢ If an agreement cannot be reached, Springfield Clinic will leave our PPO and Blue Choice networks on Nov. 17, 2021.
If Springfield Clinic chooses to leave our PPO and Blue Choice networks, members still have choices for their care. In fact, we have more than 3,000 doctors and health care professionals who are part of our robust networks in Springfield and the surrounding counties. We’ll help members find the most appropriate doctor or health care professionals for their needs.
Finding in-network care. Members have several ways to find in-network care:
- Visit our online Provider Finder®
- Register for or log in to Blue Access for MembersSM
- Call the Customer Service number on their ID card
To ensure a smooth transition, we’re reaching out to members who are receiving care or scheduled to receive care by Springfield Clinic to safely transfer their care to other in-network doctors and health care professionals, if they prefer.
Out-of-network benefits. Some of our members have coverage for out-of-network services. These members can continue to receive care from their Springfield Clinic doctor but may pay more out of pocket. To minimize out-of-pocket spending, choose an in-network doctor or health care professional.
Care for ongoing conditions. Members being treated for a pregnancy, disability, acute condition or life-threatening illness may have continuity of care benefits.
- This means they may still be able to see their current Springfield Clinic doctor even after they leave our networks.
- Benefits for continuity of care are based on benefit plans. To find out if they are eligible, members can call the number on their ID card for more information.
The rest of the story. We believe in paying for value and want to ground our arrangements with providers in improved health outcomes and quality care. In standing with our members, we see that central Illinois has some of the highest prices for health care in the state.
We value the care Springfield Clinic’s doctors and health care providers give our members. But our members and employer groups can’t sustain the financial burden of a Springfield marketplace – where health care is 16% more expensive than in Chicago.
We hope that Springfield Clinic embraces movement toward increased quality and value-based care and stays in network. We will do all we can to protect our member’s health care dollars, including giving them access to other, in-network, quality providers at fair prices.
More information. For the latest updates, visit bcbsil.com/springfieldclinic. Please contact your Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois representative with any questions or concerns.
