Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Arizona Announces Changes To Phoenix Network

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The local, independent, nonprofit insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) announced today that unless an agreement can be reached by Dec. 31, 2015, Abrazo Community Health Network in Maricopa County will no longer be a participating provider starting January 1, 2016. This network change affects members who have BCBSAZ individual, group and FEP plans. It does not affect Medicare members.

Members who have treatments scheduled at an Abrazo facility or see an Abrazo physician are encouraged to:

Look for in-network options at azblue.com/findadoctor and talk to their doctors about alternative facilities.
The BCBSAZ network contracts with 31 other hospitals, 130 urgent care centers and 73 freestanding facilities in Maricopa County.

Call BCBSAZ if they have questions about transition of care by dialing the number on the back of their ID cards, or they may call the transition of care hotline.
Available this Wednesday, Dec. 9, members can  call the hotline at 1-855-818-0276 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

BCBSAZ continues to stand firm against the unreasonably high increases Abrazo is asking for, such as doubling its surgical center reimbursement. Agreeing to the demand would increase the cost for a colonoscopy with a biopsy from $1,300 to more than $2,900. A tonsillectomy, which is a common surgery for children ages 12 years and older, would jump from $1,400 to more than $3,100.

"Members look to BCBSAZ to secure the lowest possible pricing for their families. By negotiating what hospitals and physicians charge for services, members can get care at more reasonable costs than they would without BCBSAZ working on their behalf," said BCBSAZ Senior Vice President Jeff Stelnik.

BCBSAZ is making sure both physicians and members are getting the help they need during this transition.