UW Medicine’s contracts with Premera Blue Cross for commercial and Medicare Advantage
plans are scheduled to end effective July 1, 2023. While we are currently in negotiations to extend our agreement into future years, we have begun notifying patients that if an agreement is not reached, they are welcome to continue to receive care at UW Medicine, but Premera may no longer cover the cost of their care at current levels.
UW Medicine remains committed to contract discussions to negotiate reimbursement rates that fairly address the cost of providing care. The rate of inflation as well as healthcare staffing costs have increased substantially and continue to increase. We are working with Premera to come toward reimbursement rates that reasonably and sustainably address the cost of care.
“We are notifying Premera patients now to give them sufficient time to learn about their care options and make decisions on their future care needs in the event the contracts terminate on July 1, 2023,” says Matt Lund, UW Medicine Chief Contracting Officer. “At the same time, our goal is to reach a new agreement and to continue to be the healthcare partner for our Premera patients.”
UW Medicine’s contracts with Premera include:
- Harborview Medical Center
- UW Medical Center – Northwest
- UW Medical Center – Montlake
- UW Medicine Primary Care
- UW Physicians, including services provided at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Valley Medical Center
Employees with medical benefits through UW Medicine are not impacted by this potential change as Premera is not the insurance company for any of our medical plans.
Premera patients should contact their health plan (at the number on their membership card) for questions and concerns about not being contracted with UW Medicine, including continuity of care benefits and authorization for new services at UW Medicine on or after July 1, 2023. For more information, they can visit uwmedicine.org/premera or contact us at PremeraQuestions@uw.edu or 855.520.7550.
We care about our patients and our relationship with Premera. We hope to continue to provide high-quality care and in-network access to our Premera patients for years to come.
