Blue Cross, Blue Shield To Extend Coverage For Landmark

Blue Cross Blue Shield RI and Landmark Medical Center have reached an agreement extending coverage for BCBS patients at the hospital through Dec. 31.

"Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (Blue Cross) is pleased to have reached an agreement with Landmark Medical Center (Landmark) that allows Landmark to re-join the Blue Cross participating hospital network while fairly reimbursing Landmark for the services they provide," read a statement from the insurer provided by Kim Reingold, director of public relations at the company.

As part of the agreement, Landmark will drop its law suit against Blue Cross and has agreed to a payment schedule to come current on the monies owed to the insurer for employee health benefits coverage that Blue Cross administers for Landmark. 

If approved by the court, the agreement is retroactive and extends the contract in place on July 17, 2012 until Dec. 31, or 90 days after closing on the sale of Landmark, whichever comes first. 

The Woonsocket Call reports the extension does not necessarily resolve Steward's stated reasons for holding off on closing on its purchase of Landmark, — reimbursement rates they blame for placing the hospital in dire straights. The extension keeps the rates the same.

On Aug. 27, the Attorney General's office extended the deadline for the closing to Sept. 30 to allow negotiations between the would-be rescuer of the hospital and Blue Cross to continue.