Durham, NC – Mission Health System (Mission Health) canceled its contract to provide in-network care for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) customers effective Oct. 5, 2017. Park Ridge Health has stepped up to offer support and assistance to Blue Cross NC customers seeking in-network care.

Park Ridge Health features access to care at its hospital, conveniently located off I-26, exit 44, as well as more than 30 clinical offices throughout Hendersonville, Fletcher, Mills River, South Asheville, East Asheville and Black Mountain. Park Ridge Health’s combined network of more than 250 medical providers includes more than 35 primary care providers and nearly 100 specialists representing more than 30 specialties.

“We want our friends and neighbors across Western North Carolina to know they can count on us to be there for them when they need care from an in-network health care system,” said Jimm Bunch, Park Ridge Health President and CEO. “We know having affordable, high-quality care is important to the people of Western North Carolina, and it’s important to us, too.”

Mission Health has demanded increases in payments that make premiums and out-of-pocket costs even higher for customers.

“Every other health system in North Carolina is part of our network,” said Mark Werner, Vice President of Provider Network at Blue Cross NC. “Mission Health decided to cancel their contract rather than work with us to slow down rising medical costs.”

After Oct. 5, 2017, Blue Cross NC customers seeking non-emergency care will have to choose an in-network facility, or pay higher prices. The following facilities will be in network after Oct. 5, 2017:

  • Park Ridge Health                                                        Hendersonville, Henderson County
  • LifePoint - Harris Regional Hospital                                                Sylva, Jackson County
  • LifePoint - Haywood Regional Medical Center                              Clyde, Haywood County
  • LifePoint - Frye Regional Hospital                                              Hickory, Catawba County
  • Catawba Valley Medical Center                                                  Hickory, Catawba County
  • Pardee Hospital                                                           Hendersonville, Henderson County
  • Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge-Morganton               Morganton, Burke County
  • Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge-Valdese                         Valdese, Burke County
  • Watauga Medical Center                                                              Boone, Watauga County

Customers can consider urgent, non-emergency care at in-network, urgent care locations. Most independent physicians in the area also participate in the Blue Cross NC network. Blue Cross NC customers can find urgent care and primary care options in Buncombe and surrounding counties by visiting bcbsnc.com.   

Please note: In case of an emergency, Blue Cross NC customers should go to the nearest hospital. Emergency care is always covered as an in-network benefit. Prior authorization is never required for emergency care.

Blue Cross NC customers can visit bcbsnc.com/missionhealth or call the number on their insurance cards for additional information about their options for care in Western North Carolina.

About Park Ridge Health:
Founded in 1910, Park Ridge Health is dedicated to meeting the health care needs of our growing communities, providing high-quality, compassionate care in a Christian environment. In 1984, Park Ridge Health became a member of Adventist Health System, a family of 45 exceptional, faith-based hospitals across the country that operate independently to deliver care and services that best meet the needs of their communities. Park Ridge Health is the recipient of the 2017 QUEST® Award for High-Value Healthcare from Premier Inc. It is one of only six hospitals to achieve the top performance in the QUEST collaborative, including cost and efficiency, evidence-based care, mortality, safety, patient and family engagement and appropriate hospital use. Leading the way in many medical firsts for the region, Park Ridge Health is the first hospital in Western North Carolina to offer nanomedicine in the operating room with the Nanolock Spinal technology and the only hospital in the region with the Pro-Axis Spine Surgery table. Park Ridge Health provides personalized care at more than 30 locations, offering a dedicated network of more than 250 physicians and providers, cardiac care & rehabilitation, emergency services, nationally awarded cancer care, state-of-the-art surgical care, full-service orthopedic care, an award-winning labor & delivery experience, and a full range of imaging services. For more information about Park Ridge Health or to find a physician, please visit parkridgehealth.org or call 855.PRH.LIFE (855.774.5433).

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
Blue Cross NC improves the health and well-being of our customers and communities by providing innovative health care products, services and information to more than 3.89 million members, including approximately 1 million served on behalf of other Blue Plans. Since 1933, we have worked to make North Carolina a better place to live through our support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. We have been recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute every year since 2012. Blue Cross NC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit Blue Cross NC online at bcbsnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

 

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