Tri-City signs pact with Blue Cross: Members can return

By: PAUL SISSON - Staff Writer | Thursday, March 23, 2006 11:00 AM PST ∞

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OCEANSIDE --- Tri-City Medical Center announced today that it has signed a multi-year contract with Blue Cross of California.




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According to a statement released by the 397-bed public hospital, the new contract is retroactive to January 1, and Blue Cross coverage at Tri-City resumes immediately.

Blue Cross and Tri-City walked away from the bargaining table on Jan. 1, allowing their existing contract to dissolve. It took 81 days for the two sides to hammer out a new agreement, sending some Blue Cross patients to other hospitals for elective procedures.

Though he declined to provide specifics, Tri-City Chief Executive Officer Arthur Gonzalez said in Thursday's statement that the contract holdout is a good for all the hospital's patients.

"The end result gives our patients a multi-year period of reliable coverage at the same time providing the medical center with reimbursement terms that are reasonable and cover the cost of the services we render," Gonzalez said.

Leslie Porras, spokesperson for Blue Cross of California, said Thursday that both sides have agreed not do disclose even the length of the contract, let alone its specific details.

Though she said she was not positive, Porras said that Blue Cross patients who have pending procedures scheduled at other area hospitals should not need to reschedule at Tri-City.

"I can't imagine they would, as long as the hospital they are at is in the network," Porras said.

A short written statement issued by Blue Cross reads: "Negotiating on behalf of our members, our goal was to reach an agreement that allowed Tri-City to remain profitable, without passing costs along to our members."

Contact staff writer Paul Sisson at (760) 901-4087 or psisson@nctimes.com

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J. Garland wrote on Mar 23, 2006 12:16 PM:So let me see if I have this right: Tri-City and Blue Cross have created a new contract that is so very good for the people who rely on Tri-city for medical and Blue Cross for insurance that they don't want those people to know the details of the contract. Huh??? This contract has a direct bearing on our ever-increasing medical insurance costs. We deserve and need to know about all of those contract details.

Nancy wrote on Mar 24, 2006 6:14 AM:To heck with the contract..seriously would you go to Tri City for medical care? I fear I would not get out alive.

Abbi wrote on Mar 24, 2006 11:37 AM:It may not be the prettiest hospital out there, but I have never ever had a problem with the care my family or I have received at Tri-City. I think only Blue Cross patients "deserve and need" to know about those contract details.

Laurie wrote on Mar 24, 2006 1:00 PM:I had no intention of voting for the Tri-City bond measure given the Blue Cross impasse. If I could not use the hospital why vote for it. I still may not vote for the measure because I have lost confidence in hospital administration. I had to search out alternative sources for medical care, and this facility was suppose to be built for the community!

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