NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee came to an agreement this summer to allow patients stay in network, but that does not include those who use Medicare Advantage.
When Jim Grout and his wife originally received a letter that BCBS TN would no longer cover VUMC doctors, they had hope it still might be considered out of network.
“We’re not even out of network with Blue Cross Blue Shield. We have to pay the full price, the retail price, and that’s not an option for anybody,” Grout said.
If he kept the same insurance and wanted to see his primary care doctor, it would cost more than $300 each time. So now, like many, he’s left with two choices:
“First option was finding a new plan. The second option was finding new doctors. You have to do one or the other,” Grout said.
For his wife, they decided to get new insurance because she already has a surgery scheduled at VUMC in January.
“It’s a lot of hassle for my wife. I mean, I’ve got to now go search through the various plans,” Grout said.
VUMC and the insurance company said they came to a mutual agreement this summer to stop being in network.
“Vanderbilt keeps going up in their prices, and Blue Cross Blue Shield doesn’t want to pay those increases,” Grout said.
He’s hoping they change their mind once they see how many people are affected.
“I just want to urge Vanderbilt and Blue Cross Blue Shield to get their act together and get to work and start their coverage again,” Grout said.
These changes start January 1, 2025. It won’t affect any other BCBS members, only Medicare Advantage.
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