Phoenix Children's Hospital Being Cutoff For ACA Patients

Bad news for Phoenix residents who have insurance under Health Net's Ambetter Plan. Starting in January, trips to Phoenix Children's Hospital will be considered out of network.

The decision by the insurer also includes the hospital's labs and urgent care centers.

Health Net is the only provider in Maricopa and Pima counties that participate in the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

Health Net notified the hospital of the change in October though notifications only recently started going out. The insurer has not explained the rationale for the decision.

About 1,000 Health Net-covered patients have used Phoenix Children's in the past six months.

Patients will still have the option of going there but will have to pay for the visit. The hospital's emergency room will also still continue accepting all patients as required by law.

File photo of patient at Phoenix Children's Hospital via Reed Saxon/AP Photo