Key Payer-Provider Contract Negotiations Persist into Late 2025

Several significant payer-provider agreements are nearing expiration as 2025 ends, with some contracts still in negotiation. Health Care Service Corp.'s Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas has yet to finalize a contract with Ascension Texas, risking coverage for their commercial, ACA, and Medicare Advantage plans. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas is also in discussions with University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus, though Medicaid and Medicare Healthy Blue plans remain unaffected. Additionally, UnitedHealthcare's contract with SSM Health in St. Louis faces expiration, potentially impacting Medicaid and employer-sponsored commercial plans. These ongoing negotiations highlight key challenges in payer-provider relations and contract renewals in the health insurance sector.