Cigna and Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Memorial Hospital — under Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health, formerly CHI Memorial — have not reached an agreement ahead of their Feb. 1 contracting deadline.
“We have a longstanding relationship with Memorial Hospital and want them to remain in our network. Memorial is already one of the most expensive hospitals in the greater Chattanooga area, and now they are demanding rate increases that would force our customers and their families to pay more,” a Cigna spokesperson said in a statement shared with Becker’s. “We are committed to negotiating in good faith and have offered to extend the current contract while discussions continue. Memorial has not accepted this extension or adjusted its position on rates. We remain hopeful that Memorial will join us in prioritizing affordable, high-quality care for Chattanooga families.”
Cigna did not address which plan members, or how many, would be affected if the hospital goes out of network. The insurer said 99% of contracted hospitals stay in network year over year…