Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Baylor Scott & White Health extend their current contract to Oct. 1, 2024
Baylor Scott & White providers will remain in the HealthSelectSM network through September, at least.
As administrator of the HealthSelect of Texas® insurance plans, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) is discussing new contracts with Baylor Scott & White Health. Contract negotiations with providers like Baylor Scott & White Health are a normal process for insurance companies.
The current contracts were set to expire July 1, 2024, but BCBSTX and Baylor Scott & White extended them to Oct. 1, 2024, as they work on reaching a new agreement. This means participants in the HealthSelect of Texas® plans, including Consumer Directed HealthSelect, can continue to see Baylor Scott & White providers at in-network coverage levels at least through Sept. 30, 2024.
The Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) is closely monitoring the negotiations. We are encouraged by the discussions and hopeful that Baylor Scott & White providers will remain in the HealthSelect network longer term.
Please note: These negotiations have no impact on the HealthSelectSM Medicare Advantage Plan that is available to retirees enrolled in Medicare. HealthSelect Medicare Advantage is insured by UnitedHealthcare, which has a separate contract with Baylor Scott & White Health.
If Baylor Scott & White and BCBSTX do not reach an agreement before Oct. 1, 2024, Baylor Scott & White providers—including physician practices, hospitals and other facilities—will no longer be in the HealthSelectSM network. That means most services from Baylor Scott & White providers would be covered at the out-of-network level, which means higher out-of-pocket costs for participants. Emergency service coverage would continue at the in-network benefit level.
If your provider leaves the network, your HealthSelect plan may allow you to continue to receive in-network services from that provider under certain conditions and for a set amount of time. This is called continuity of care. To learn more about continuity of care, as well as other assistance BCBSTX would provide for participants who could be impacted by a network change, visit the HealthSelect of Texas website or call a BCBSTX Personal Health Assistant at (800) 252-8039 (TTY: 711), Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. or Saturday 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. CT.
ERS is hopeful that Baylor Scott & White providers will remain in the HealthSelect network. We will work with BCBSTX to inform plan participants of any developments.
