Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas

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BlueCross and BlueShield of Texas (BCBSTX)– Commercial and Government Contracts

Pending Termination Effective July 1, 2025

 

CHRISTUS Health hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and physician clinics in Texas have accepted BCBSTX insurance for decades, and we fully intend to continue. However, if we cannot reach an agreement by July 1, BCBSTX customers will no longer have in-network insurance coverage at CHRISTUS Health Texas locations.

Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section for more information regarding specific termination information by benefit plan.

We have been negotiating with BCBSTX for months to secure a reasonable insurance reimbursement rate for our health services. BCBSTX’s responses have been unfavorable thus far. However, we will continue to communicate with BCBSTX in hopes of finalizing an agreement.

CHRISTUS Health is working hard to keep health care costs affordable for all while continuing to provide high-quality and compassionate services to our patients and their families. We encourage patients to call the

BCBSTX customer service number located on their insurance card to let them know how important it is for CHRISTUS Health hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and physician clinics to remain in network so that they have access to the entire provider network and benefits as a BCBSTX member.

Our emergency departments will always be available, even if we go out of network with BCBSTX on July 1, and we will do all we can to ensure that patients get the affordable, quality care they need and deserve.

In a recent communication issued by BCBSTX, the company indicated that CHRISTUS Health may not submit patient insurance claims to BCBSTX after June 30. Should this happen, please know that while we won’t be able to file in-network claims to BCBSTX on your behalf, we will file out-of-network insurance claims if your plan has this option. For more information, refer to the FAQ section.

BCBSTX may communicate there are other providers willing to accept BCBSTX members, should we go out of network. This may be true, but the reality is that access to many of these providers will be limited due to capacity issues these providers are already experiencing. In other words, these providers will not be able to handle the additional volume of patients. In turn, you and your dependents will have long wait times or may have to seek care outside of your immediate geographic region.

CHRISTUS Health is truly honored to serve our patients, and we thank our communities for putting trust in us. Please continue to check our website for updates as we will continue to earn your trust and fight for your best interests. We are committed to negotiating a fair contract to maintain your access to high-quality health care at the affordable rates you deserve.

FAQ

Which BCBSTX plans will be impacted by the termination? 
  • Blue Advantage HMO (BAV) – effective 7/1/2025
  • Blue Choice PPO – effective 7/1/2025
  • Blue Essentials HMO – effective 7/1/2025
  • Blue Cross Medicare Advantage HMO – effective 7/1/2025
  • Blue Cross Medicare Advantage PPO – effective 7/1/2025
  • Medicaid – effective 7/1/2025
  • FEP Blue Standard, FEP Blue Basic, FEP Blue Focus – effective 7/1/2025
  • ParPlan – effective 7/21/2025
Which CHRISTUS Health hospitals, physician clinics, and ambulatory surgery centers will be impacted by the termination? 

CHRISTUS Health Northeast Texas:

  • CHRISTUS Health Good Shepherd Medical Center - Northpark
  • CHRISTUS Health Good Shepherd Medical Center - Kilgore
  • CHRISTUS Health Good Shepherd Medical Center - Longview
  • CHRISTUS Health Good Shepherd Medical Center - Marshall
  • CHRISTUS Health Mother Frances Hospital – Canton
  • CHRISTUS Health Mother Frances Hospital - Jacksonville
  • CHRISTUS Health Mother Frances Hospital - South Tyler
  • CHRISTUS Health Mother Frances Hospital - Sulphur Springs
  • CHRISTUS Health Mother Frances Hospital - Tyler
  • CHRISTUS Health Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
  • Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital - Tyler
  • CHRISTUS Health St. Michael Health System - Texarkana
  • CHRISTUS Health St. Michael Hospital -Atlanta
  • CHRISTUS Health St. Michael Rehabilitation Hospital
  • CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic – all Texas locations

     

    CHRISTUS Health Southeast Texas:

  • CHRISTUS Health Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth Hospital
  • CHRISTUS Health Southeast Texas Jasper Memorial Hospital
  • CHRISTUS Health Southeast Texas Orthopedics
  • CHRISTUS Health Southeast Texas Bariatric Center
  • CHRISTUS Health Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth Outpatient Pavilion
  • CHRISTUS Health Southeast Texas St. Mary Outpatient Center Mid County
  • CHRISTUS Health Southeast Texas Hospital Orange
  • CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic – all Texas locations

 

CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health Care System:

  • CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital Medical Center
  • CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital Alamo Heights
  • CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital Westover Hills
  • CHRISTUS Children’s Hospital
  • CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital San Marcos
  • CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital New Braunfels
  • CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Rehabilitation Services New Braunfels
  • CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Outpatient Imaging New Braunfels
  • CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Emergency Center Alon
  • CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Emergency Center Creekside
  • CHRISTUS Surgery Center Olympia Hills
  • CHRISTUS Surgery Center Alamo Heights
  • CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Physician Ambulatory Surgery Center Stone Oak
  • CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Physician Ambulatory Surgery Center New Braunfels
  • CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Physician Ambulatory Surgery Center San Marcos
  • CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic – all Texas locations

 

CHRISTUS Spohn Health System:

  • CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi South
  • CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi Shoreline
  • CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Alice
  • CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Beeville
  • CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Kleberg
  • CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi - CHRISTUS Surgical Hospital
  • CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic – all Texas locations
  • Trincare Clinical Loaboratory - all Texas locations
Why did I receive a letter in the mail from CHRISTUS? 
We are legally obligated to notify patients of any potential changes to their health insurance coverage when one of our contracts is set to end, but we also want to be sure you have the information you need to make informed decisions. We are committed to fighting for your best interests and remaining in network with BCBSTX, but should they continue to refuse to negotiate with us for a fair agreement, we also want to be certain you know your options when it comes to access to the care you need. In the meantime, we are asking for your help by calling BCBSTX at the phone number on the back of your insurance card and say that you want CHRISTUS to remain in network.
What happens on July 1, 2025, for BCBSTX patients? 

You will continue receiving the same high-quality and compassionate care on July 1 that we provided on June 30, whether in or out of network. We encourage you to review your insurance benefits to ensure you can continue to seek care at a non-network provider under your benefit plan.

If we are out of network with BCBSTX, your out-of-pocket costs could vary significantly. To understand your specific benefits, we encourage you to call BCBSTX customer service at the phone number on the back of your insurance card. In addition, we encourage you to call BCBSTX today to let them know you want to keep CHRISTUS in your network and let your employer or agent know that CHRISTUS is your preferred choice for health care.

If you wish to continue to receive services at CHRISTUS Health and your plan has no out-of-network benefits available, we offer several financial options, including but not limited to single case agreements with BCBSTX, cash pay options and payment plans.

If your plan has an out-of-network benefit option available, CHRISTUS Health will continue to file your claims to BCBSTX.

If I’m getting chemo treatments at CHRISTUS Health and I’m covered by BCBSTX, what will happen to me? 
First, we’re committed to your health and reaching an agreement with BCBSTX. Should we be unable to reach an agreement, we expect BCBSTX will work to facilitate continuity of care in accordance with a member’s insurance benefit plan, so that the patient can still be treated at CHRISTUS. We will continue to assist BCBSTX members in getting the appropriate access to care.
I am currently in my last trimester of pregnancy. Will I be able to deliver my baby with my doctor at CHRISTUS? 

Yes, BCBSTX has a “continuity of care” program, which is considered when a member has special circumstances such as:

  • acute or disabling conditions
  •  life-threatening illness
  • a high-risk pregnancy, or a pregnancy past the 24th week or beyond (13th week or beyond for HMO members)

According to BCBSTX, this coverage is only applicable to the requested doctor. If you need more information about your specific situation, or how the BCBSTX transition process works please refer to the back of your insurance ID card to reach a BCBSTX representative.

If I’m in a major accident and the ambulance takes me to the ER at a CHRISTUS hospital, will I have to pay out-of-network charges? 
No. Emergency care is covered at your in-network benefits under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, a federal law that requires anyone coming to an emergency department to be stabilized and treated regardless of their ability to pay.
Which insurance companies offer in-network benefits at CHRISTUS hospitals? 
CHRISTUS participates in many national and local insurance plans, including most other major insurance companies, including Aetna, Cigna, and United Healthcare, to name a few.
If CHRISTUS Texas facilities receive a reimbursement rate increase from BCBSTX, won’t patients end up paying more? 

Our goal is to negotiate a fair and reasonable increase in our rates for the CHRISTUS system. CHRISTUS Health has proposed increases that we believe are warranted, given the last several years of inflationary trends. For all our facilities, costs have risen substantially while BCBSTX has reported exponential revenue increases year over year. We always have our patients’ best interests in mind, which is why we are negotiating with BCBSTX to remain in network and keep our patients’ out-of-pocket costs as low as possible. We understand health care can be expensive, and we strive to ensure patients receive the highest-quality care at a reasonable rate.

I am interested in enrolling in a CHRISTUS Health Plan Exchange product. How can I do so? 

Please visit the following site to explore our product offerings: https://christus.healthsherpa.com/?_agent_id=christus

I am a small group employer who purchased the BCBSTX Blue Advantage plan and would like to evaluate CHRISTUS Health Plan Exchange as an alternative. Can you tell me more? 
Please visit the following site for a list of agencies who currently offer a CHRISTUS Health Plan Exchange product: https://www.christushealthplan.org/brokers/designated-fmo.