CHI St. Vincent out of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield network as negotiations stall

CHI St. Vincent out of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield network as negotiations stall

Tue, September 1, 2026 at 9:52 AM
UpdatedTue, September 1, 2026 at 11:51 AM
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CHI St. Vincent & CommonSpirit Health opt out of AR Blue Cross Blue Shield networks (PHOTO: KATV)

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) —CHI St. Vincent has opted out of the <a href="https://healthylife7.com/3-prominent-chicago-area-hospitals-to-suspend-ob-services-prime-healthcare-announces/” title=”3 prominent Chicago-area hospitals to suspend OB services, Prime Healthcare announces”>healthcare provider networks of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its associated health plans (Arkansas Blue Medicare, BlueAdvantage Administrators of Arkansas, the Federal Employees Program, Health Advantage, Octave Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Skai Blue Cross and Blue Shield) effective September 1, 2026

Medi-Pak members are not affected

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield has reportedly been engaged in negotiations with CHI St. Vincent and CommonSpirit Health for the past several months

RELATED | CHI St. Vincent hospitals may go out-of-network for Blue Cross members Sept. 1

In Arkansas, the CHI St. Vincent/CommonSpirit Health departure from Arkansas Blue Cross networks affects four hospitals (CHI St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock, CHI St. Vincent North in Sherwood, CHI St. Vincent Morrilton and CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs). It also affects 80 medical clinics, more than 300 employed healthcare providers, and a number of other providers who are affiliated with CHI St. Vincent

While we are disappointed by CHI St. Vincent and CommonSpirit Health’s decision to withdraw from our provider networks, we wish them well and greatly appreciate the care CHI St. Vincent’s providers, facilities and staff have delivered to our members throughout our company’s entire 77-year history,” Alicia Berkemeyer, executive vice president and chief health management officer for Arkansas Blue Cross said. “We are committed to exploring approaches that ensure our members receive high-quality care that is also cost-efficient, and we have communicated to CHI St. Vincent and CommonSpirit Health that if their focus or circumstances should change in the future, they have an open invitation to rejoin us in this work.

Arkansas Blue Cross negotiated with CHI St. Vincent/CommonSpirit Health on this matter for several months, offering a number of proposals, but CHI St. Vincent/CommonSpirit Health ultimately rejected them all

What it means for Arkansans:

Claims that have dates of service of August 31, 2026, or earlier will continue to be reimbursed at in-network rates

However, claims for services provided to members of any of the affected health plans on or after September 1, 2026, will be processed at the out-of-network benefit levels defined in the member’s health plan coverage if they are performed by CHI St. Vincent/CommonSpirit Health facilities, healthcare providers employed by CHI St. Vincent/CommonSpirit Health, and affilitated providers who have chosen to leave the networks

Affected memberswill be responsible for paying a much greater share of the cost out of their pockets. Some health plans don’t cover any portion of out-of-network claims. Additionally, out-of-network providers are free to “balance-bill” members for the difference between the health plan’s allowable amount and the full amount of billed charges

Accordingly, many members may be responsible for paying 100% of the billed cost of those services

In-network healthcare providers who have admitting privileges to CHI St. Vincent/CommonSpirit Health-owned facilities – but who are not employed by CHI St. Vincent/CommonSpirit Health and who have not withdrawn from ABCBS networks – will not be affected. However, claims resulting from referrals to CHI St. Vincent/CommonSpirit Health facilities or providers will be considered out-of-network, except in certain circumstances

Prescriptions that are written by providers who are employed by CHI St. Vincent/CommonSpirit Health and are filled at in-network pharmacies will not be affected. Members’ coverage levels for such prescriptions will not change, regardless of the network status of the prescriber

The Arkansas Blue Cross network offers many quality options throughout Arkansas and is committed to helping members connect with a different in-network hospital or provider

To get the most value from their health plans, members may find in-network providers via:

• Blueprint Portal (a member self-service app for smartphone, tablet, computer)
• The Customer Service telephone number on the back of their member ID card.

Temporary continuity of care coverage:

Affected members may be eligible to continue to receive services with in-network coverage (continuity of care coverage) for the lesser of 90 days from the date they receive an out-of-network notice or until the condition for which they are being treated is resolved – if transition to another healthcare provider would be inappropriate or unsafe. Members may qualify for this type of temporary coverage if they are:

• Undergoing a course of treatment for a serious and complex acute illness or condition that is serious enough to require specialized medical treatment to avoid the reasonable possibility of death or permanent harm.
• Undergoing a course of treatment for a chronic illness or condition that is life-threatening, potentially disabling or congenital and requires specialized medical care over a prolonged period of time.
• Undergoing a course of institutional or inpatient care.
• Currently scheduled to undergo nonelective surgery (including postoperative care).
• Pregnant and undergoing a course of treatment related to the pregnancy.
• (Note: Qualifying members will have this coverage extended through the duration of the pregnancy and up to six weeks after delivery.)
• Terminally ill and receiving treatment for that illness.

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CHI St. Vincent issued its own statement following the negotiations:

Despite more than a year of consistent efforts by CHI St. Vincent to reach a sustainable contract renewal, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas has been unwilling to agree to a fair contract that recognizes the vital role our hospitals, facilities and providers play in this community. As a result, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas no longer considers CHI St. Vincent as part of its network.

CHI St. Vincent sought a fair reimbursement agreement that would allow the health system to continue investing in the equipment, technology and staffing required for quality care. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas’ refusal to offer rates that reflect the actual cost of providing care has led to this disruption.

Dr William G. Jones, CHI St. Vincent Market President, said it is disappointing they have not been able to reach an “equitable agreement” with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas

We have worked tirelessly to avoid this outcome, and believe that affordability and sustainability can coexist; however, we cannot continue to subsidize inadequate, unfair reimbursement rates at the expense of our clinical operations and the patients we serve. Fair reimbursement is not separate from our mission; it enables our mission.

CHI St. Vincent says Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas is limiting access to critical services its members rely on

This consists of:

• CHI St. Vincent’s Advanced Neuroscience program is home to world-renowned neurosurgeons treating patients with complex brain tumors and serious neurological conditions.
• The largest provider of heart surgery in Arkansas, recognized by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for outstanding outcomes and named a Top 50 U.S. Hospital for Cardiovascular Care by Modern Healthcare in 2026.
• The only Labor and Delivery hospital in Southwest Arkansas.
• The only Pancreatic Disease Center of Excellence within 400 miles.
• A critical rural primary care lifeline — CHI St. Vincent’s broad primary care network reaches deep into Arkansas’s rural communities, where patients and families have no other options.

We have not walked away from the table. We are doing everything we can to restore in-network access for the thousands of patients who rely on us for their care,” Dr. Jones said. “We urge Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas to consider the needs of their members and accept our proposal, which reflects the true cost of care and prioritizes the health of our community.

CHI St. Vincent says it remains committed to reaching an agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas