(SEATTLE) A stalemate between a major medical provider and an insurance company could mean 19-THOUSAND local people will have to find a new doctor next month.
According to Seattle-based insurer Regence Blue Shield, the company that operates the Polyclinic and the Everett Clinic is “insisting on an unprecedented increase in what we pay them for your care.”
In a letter to its subscribers, Regence writes the result may be that these two medical offices become “out of network” providers on December 19th.
Optum, the owner of the two clinics, is said to be wanting a nearly 15% increase in rates, though the company has not confirmed this.
The negotiations are said to still be ongoing, but in a statement issued yesterday, Regence writes “Our premiums are based on what we expect care to cost. When providers demand unsustainable rate increases to provide care, our members and customers pay more out of pocket.”
And while their parent company hasn’t said anything, The Polyclinic and The Everett Clinic issued their own statement “Supporting our patients with compassionate, quality care is our highest priority. We remain hopeful that we will reach an agreement with Regence so patients will have continued access to their trusted Polyclinic and Everett Clinic doctors and care teams.”
