How much of a pay raise does Texas Health Resources need?
The region’s largest health system, controlling nearly a quarter of the hospital market, already has the highest health care charges in North Texas — roughly a third higher than the average for the state and nation.
Now it’s teaming with the region’s most prestigious provider, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and seeking a big increase in reimbursement rates from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas: over $900 million over the next 32 months.
The state’s largest insurer balked at the proposed increase and the providers responded by filing to terminate the contract. Unless a new deal is reached by Oct. 4, over 450,000 patients could be facing high out-of-network charges or looking for new doctors.