BCBSNC, Wake Emergency Physicians and Raleigh Pathology Laboratory Associates Announce New Agreements

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. and RALEIGH, N.C. – Wake Emergency Physicians, PA and Raleigh Pathology Laboratory Associates have signed new, independent contracts with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC).  These new agreements will simplify the billing process for BCBSNC customers who receive care at WakeMed Health & Hospitals.

 

Wake Emergency Physicians, PA, a group of 66 doctors who staff WakeMed’s five emergency rooms, returned to BCBSNC’s network on December 1, 2008. Raleigh Pathology Laboratory Associates, a hospital-based group of ten board certified pathologists who provides laboratory services for all sites throughout the WakeMed System, returned to the BCBSNC network in October 2008.

  

“This is good news for our customers,” said BCBSNC President and CEO Bob Greczyn. “I appreciate the leadership of the physician practices as well as WakeMed President and CEO Dr. Bill Atkinson. "This is an example of a great partnership and our shared commitment to patients.”

 

“When a patient visits an emergency department the last thing they need to be concerned about is billing.  We are pleased that this new agreement will make the billing process much easier for our Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina insured patients and their families,” commented Michael T. Brohawn, practice administrator, Wake Emergency Physicians, PA. 

 

Along with establishing mutually agreeable rates between BCBSNC and the two groups, the contracts take customers out of the billing and payment process between BCBSNC and Wake Emergency Physicians, PA and Raleigh Pathology Laboratory Associates. BCBSNC customers will be responsible for paying only applicable copays, deductibles and coinsurance. Wake Emergency Physicians and Raleigh Pathology Laboratory Associates will file claims directly to BCBSNC for payment. Previously, patients would receive reimbursement from BCBSNC and would then be responsible for submitting payment for the physicians' bill.

 

Wake Emergency Physicians, PA and Raleigh Pathology Laboratory Associates provide services at the following WakeMed facilities:

The Emergency Department at WakeMed’s Raleigh Campus is a Level I Trauma Center, Certified Chest Pain Center and the area’s only Stroke Center.  It also houses the state’s first dedicated Children’s Emergency Department. 

 

Raleigh Pathology Laboratory Associates also supports a large outpatient business and has Patient Service Centers in all of the sites listed above, as well as WakeMed Brier Creek Medical Park and WakeMed Clayton Medical Park.  In addition, Raleigh Pathology Laboratory Associates provides laboratory outreach services for local physicians. The rapid turnaround times and accessibility of the pathologists assists with the continuity of care for patients. 

 

In an emergency, BCBSNC always advises customers to go to the nearest hospital, regardless of whether the hospital or its physicians are in our network. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is a leader in delivering innovative health care products, services and information to more than 3.7 million members, including approximately 896,000 served on behalf of other Blue Plans. For 75 years, the company has served its customers by offering health insurance at a competitive price and has served the people of North Carolina through support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Access BCBSNC online at bcbsnc.com.

Raleigh Pathology Laboratory Associates is an independent group of  hospital-based pathologists, in addition to a professional group of administrative leadership that provide comprehensive anatomic and clinical pathology services in accredited laboratories at WakeMed Health & Hospitals. To learn more, visit wakemed.org.

Wake Emergency Physicians, PA, is an independent group of emergency medicine specialists comprised of 66 physicians who are either board certified or board eligible in emergency medicine or Pediatric emergency medicine.  The practice provides emergency medical services through Wake Medd five emergency departments in Wake County, including WakeMed Raleigh Campus, WakeMed Cary Hospital, WakeMed North Healthplex, and WakeMed Apex Healthplex.  To learn more, visit weppa.org.

 

###