Friday, July 1, 2022

Still Deadlocked

 Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance Mike Chaney issued the following statement. 

“With the continuation of care period ending today, any future non-emergency care provided by UMMC to BCBSMS Insured and Self-Insured Members, BlueCard Members and Federal Employees will be fully out-of-network. It was my hope when I offered mediation several months ago that an agreement would be reached by close of business on June 30, 2022. Sadly that is not the case. However, mediation is ongoing and I remain optimistic that both parties can reach an agreement and not leave tens of thousands of consumers hanging in the balance.  


The Mississippi Insurance Department is here to assist any BCBSMS member and UMMC patient that has any questions concerning co-pays and out-of-pocket limits or needs assistance with obtaining estimates of services to be provided. You can reach us at 1-800-562-2957.   


I have received numerous emails and phone calls from concerned citizens wanting to continue their relationship with their provider as well as their current insurance carrier.  


This is a stark reminder that the only ones impacted by the dispute are the consumers. As your Insurance Commissioner, I am doing everything I can to ensure individuals continue to have access to the healthcare provider of their choice with minimal disruption.”


20 comments:

I will say this said...

Chaney's office and staff are the REAL deal. Back in March of 2020 they got me out of a jam with a "non network" ER visit that resulted in an attempt by a Physician to "Balance Bill" me several thousands of dollars. A couple of phone calls, a couple of emails, they shut that Physician's collection agency down on their attempt to illegally collect from me.

If you as a consumer are unaware of the Mississippi "Balance Billing" laws, you need to do your homework and get Chaney's office involved. That one State Agency is a true gem.

Anonymous said...

Insurance commission has the ability to lay so much grief on BCBS that they will cooperate and help meet UMC's needs. Yet there is no progress in solving this coverage problem - Is the Insurance Commission in BCBS's back pocket?

Anonymous said...

On top of this issue, now St Dominic’s is no longer accepting tricare

Anonymous said...

Insurance of all types = organized crime, with lots of palm greasing.

Anonymous said...

BCBS is CRIMINAL!
They literally stake out doctors' offices and record when a patient enters their doors and how long until they exit. They track the number of patients coming and going and tell the doctors if they think they are spending too much time with patients! Only the doctor knows how much time and care a patient needs during their visits. This has resulted in some doctors and NPs no longer accepting insurance from them. Several have adopted other payment models or memberships.

Anonymous said...

It sucks that insurance is private and tied to an employer. I’d love to switch away from BSBS, but I’d also like to remain employed. As always, the rich assholes win.

Anonymous said...

@12:20PM

Nah, I'm glad they are staking out the doors. Watch those dirty doctors and time them to see that they are upcoding Office Level visits and fraudulently billing BCBS. Had a crooked NP bill my insurance for a 45-minute office visit when I was only in the clinic for less than 5 minutes before being referred to an ER. Never even made it into the exam room but they billed the higher level visit.

Anonymous said...

BCBS probably has some wiggle room they can use to mediate; however it seems to me the biggest problem in the controversy, and many others, is UMMC acting like everyone should now to their whims. The leadership there is out of control with their self importance and press releases. UMMC management is looking out for one thing, themselves. They care nothing for patients, employees, or the level of healthcare provided to the city with soul.

Anonymous said...

Private physicians backstopped by a largely taxpayer funded hospital and facilities. Something very wrong with those facts.

Anonymous said...

If everyone was required to purchase their own insurance or pay for the visits themselves we would have much lower costs. I thought Obama Care was solving that and you were required to have insurance? I suggested a long time ago, when you you walk into an emergency room come with $500 down or hit the door if not insured. Remember it's the law you have to buy health insurance right or you pay for it through higher personal taxes.
Right now the people who buy insurance are paying for the 55% who don't through higher premiums.

Anonymous said...

UMMC has paid for perpetual negative ads playing on fear toward BCBS which is in very poor taste. UMMC only cares about their ego and billing.

By the way - Chaney never had any "power" to do anything really. Those who have the gold, make the rules.

Anonymous said...

Both BCBS and UMMC are bullies and the people losing are the policy holders and patients.

Robert W Neill Jr, Land Broker said...

There are state and federal anti-trust laws that could be used against Blue Cross but they have too many powerful friends.

Anonymous said...

I'd love to know if/how much money BCBS has contributed to Mike Chaney's campaigns over the years. Chaney has a history of soliciting contributions from the insurance agents he regulates. As an insurance agent I have received such solicitation from Chaney. It only stands to reason that BCBS has also been approached.

Kingfish, if BCBS has given money to Mike Chaney, that would be a relevant article.

Anonymous said...

I received a call from MEA Medical clinics expressing concern about my blood pressure and cholesterol and inviting me to come to MEA for a program of treatment. Since I'm a UMC patient and not an MEA patient, I asked the MEA sales rep how she knew of my hypertension and cholesterol levels. She said BCBS gave them the information.

I would think it is illegal for BCBS to be selling my medical information to others.

Where is HIPPA when the need is relevant?

Anonymous said...

Time to take away UMC’s tax exempt status.

Anonymous said...

I worked for BCBSMS for many years. They work hard to keep expenses down and as a result keep premiums as low as possible (not easy to do these days). UMMC representatives were arrogant and condescending during the COVID pandemic. As a result, I tend to side with BCBSMS in this case.

Anonymous said...

UMMC has been chiseling citizens for decades in order to "grow" their little kingdom. That dominant hegemony is coming to an end because BCBS is actually attempting to expect good/great health outcomes from its network providers. UMMC likes having repeat customers that never get better, which is a model that no longer works - especially when you've overextended yourself like UMMC.

Anonymous said...

hello mr chaney......... the first thing you can do about BC/BS is get the entire mississippi legislature off their payroll.
...............................good luck with that.

Anonymous said...

Chaney is merely a politician trying to remain relevant. He has no power except to appear like he's trying to do something about it...like most politicians.


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