Yavapai County, Arizona — Editor’s Note: This is an old article. As of February 8, the Blue Cross Blue Shield is no longer officially accepted at his Yavapai Regional Medical Center and Yavapai Regional Medical Group. Click here for updates on this story.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and Dignity Health’s Yavapai Regional Medical Center and Yavapai Regional Medical Group are approaching the final day of negotiations, and people are faced with tough choices. It’s either paying more or driving more for affordable healthcare.

Earlier this week, negotiations were extended, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) will continue to be covered in the network through Thursday.

The two companies have been in negotiations for months.

Tim Anderson, who lives in Prescott and has BCBSAZ as his Medicare supplemental health insurance, is concerned about the news.

But a spokesperson for Dignity Health told members of 12News that people like Anderson would not be affected if the two sides failed to come to an agreement.

“I think the cold head wins. They take care of it. But their way of doing this is very poor. They shouldn’t be confusing their customers,” Anderson said. rice field.

Senators Mark Kelly, Senators Kirsten Cinema, and Rep. Eli Crane said: letter We encourage Dignity Health and BCBSAZ to expand coverage while negotiations continue.

He also sent a local Republican state legislator. letter To the Yavapai Regional Medical Center concerned with those dependent on Dignity Health services.

Yavapai County Oversight Board Chairman James Gregory also urged both sides to continue negotiations on Tuesday.

“This failure to reach an agreement will have a negative impact on the thousands of Yavapai County residents who are insured through Blue Cross Blue Shield and rely on Dignity Health as their sole provider of healthcare services in their area. .

not yet, on Wednesday’s releaseboth BCBSAZ and Dignity Health hoped to reach an agreement.

Dr. Dan Dirksen, Vice President for Health Services, University of Arizona, said:

Derksen said negotiations between hospitals and insurers are common, but now pose more challenges.

“The cost of materials and consumables has gone up. Labor prices have gone up in the face of many shortages. Not enough doctors, not enough nurses. Not enough health. People,” says Derksen. says Mr.

Derksen hopes the two sides will reach an agreement to keep BCBSAZ members within the Yavapai Regional Medical Center and Yavapai Regional Medical Group networks. No agreement has been reached yet.

“In that area, they serve a very important function. If people have health insurance and are paying monthly premiums, they can reasonably expect to be able to access care in an area that is convenient for them. We are really looking forward to it,” said Derksen. He said.

If the two sides do not reach an agreement by midnight, 12News will reportedly continue to cover emergency medical care for BCBSAZ members.

BCBSAZ spokeswoman Amanda Siedler told 12News by email on Thursday, “In the event that Yavapai Regional Medical Center is disconnected from the network at midnight tonight, we will notify members either digitally or by email so that members can update their status. We will have an online resource for you to check.

Siedler also added that members’ ongoing hospitalizations and treatments can be completed within the network.

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