We at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGa) are both puzzled and encouraged by the recent editorial written by Floyd Medical Center.

We are encouraged that Floyd Medical Center (Floyd) now wants to include Polk Medical Center (Polk) under its current Hospital contract and puzzled as to why our agreement to do just that was previously rejected by Floyd.

In our discussions with Floyd, we expressed our concern over the possible impact this new arrangement would have on the cost of care for our Polk County Members. We also acknowledged that if Polk were to go out-of-network, the costs to our Members may be even greater.

For that reason, we sent a proposal to Floyd to add Polk to the existing Floyd Medical Center agreement with BCBSGa.

After reading Floyd’s editorial, we are once again hopeful that Floyd will reconsider our previous proposal and agree to include Polk under its own Hospital agreement; thereby, keeping Polk in-network for BCBSGa Members.

At BCBSGa, we are celebrating our 75th anniversary this year, and as the state’s largest and oldest insurer, serving more than 2.4 million members, we employ approximately 3,000 associates throughout the state. We are a company of Georgians serving Georgians, working hard to live out our mission of improving the lives of the people we serve and the health of our communities.

Best, Cheryl Monkhouse