OLOL’s Wester: Blue Cross misrepresents facts; negotiations ongoing

Scott Wester, the president/CEO of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, says he was “taken aback” by statements from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana today claiming that the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, which includes OLOL, planned to end its relationship with Blue Cross when the current, two-year contract ends Jan. 31. Wester says officials from both companies met this morning, and OLOL was awaiting a response about an offer to enter mediation. “We’re extremely disappointed that Blue Cross has chosen to misrepresent the situation and misrepresent the facts,” Wester says. “We remain in continuing negotiations.” He says a Blue Cross claim that OLOL entered talks by asking for a double-digit reimbursement rate increase are untrue. “We have asked Blue Cross for a single-digit increase, a modest adjustment,” he says, “very similar to in years past.” He says the insurer wants a 0% increase but meantime has raised premiums for its members without any rate increase to FMOL providers. He says Blue Cross is unwilling to help subsidize community services such as mental health and trauma services, and heart disease and cancer screenings, calling OLOL’s mission to help the underserved “a luxury” in a recent letter. To read the full story, click here.—Todd R. Brown