Polk Medical Center
In a media release on Wednesday, April 18, Floyd alerted local employers and patients that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia had chosen not to extend its contract with Floyd Medical Center to Polk Medical Center.
In a rebuttal published online on the Rome News-Tribune’s website, Blue Cross made statements that are contrary to the information Floyd has received in writing from the California-based insurance company.
“Blue Cross Blue Shield is clearly misrepresenting the facts to the public,” said Teresa Prevost, Director of Managed Care at Floyd. “We have been working diligently to reach an agreement that would protect the interests of our patients in Polk County. We are frustrated that we have had to devote resources that were neither expected nor budgeted related to Blue Cross’ difficult behavior.”
“We sent Blue Cross a simple, one-page document to add Polk Medical Center to the Floyd Medical Center contract, and they rejected it, in writing,” Prevost said. “It’s very clear to us now that we will need to revisit all of our contracts with Blue Cross. At this point, there are several outstanding issues with Blue Cross.
“Blue Cross keeps changing their story; sometimes they claim the HCA / Redmond contract still applies to Polk even though HCA no longer has a role at Polk, and then they produce documents with additional restrictions. Interestingly, HCA / Redmond has also terminated its contract with Blue Cross. We want the same contract for Floyd and Polk, and it must be fair and reasonable. We deliver quality care at Polk Medical Center, and we want our Polk County patients to have the ability to choose to receive care there without a negative financial impact.”
“Floyd, too, is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2012,” Prevost said. “We have a history of making health care affordable and accessible in the communities we serve. We sincerely hope that Blue Cross will honor the words in their statement to the Rome News-Tribune. Rather than waste time attempting to discredit our intentions and sidestepping what they know to be true, it is our hope that they will focus on resolving these contract issues quickly and fairly. The citizens of Floyd and Polk County deserve unrestricted access to the hospital of their choice, and right now, Blue Cross is the only insurance company standing in the way of that.”
Not so: My good friend has Blue Cross coverage, went to Polk Medical Center, and was told they were no longer accepting Blue Cross insurance. My friend went to Redmond Hospital - where his Blue Cross insurance was accepted, as in-network coverage as usual.
Ms. Prevost did not tell the truth: she mangled the truth. Like a true politician, she said Redmond had terminated its contract with Blue Cross BUT SHE DID NOT SAY Redmond had terminated its contract between Polk Medical Center and Blue Cross.
Such a statement as made by Ms. Prevost destroys credibility.......her credibility.