There is no telling how long it will take Piedmont Healthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield to work out their contract dispute over coverage.
It could be days, it could be months. Meanwhile, patients are in limbo.
WHAT ABOUT MY DOCTOR?
On 11Alive's Facebook page, Allysa Ballew asked one of the most-asked questions: "So if you have blue cross, you can’t see doctors at piedmont offices?"
The answer from keeppiedmont.org is YES, you can keep seeing those doctors, but you may have to pay higher out-of-network costs to see them.
WHAT ABOUT MY PLANNED SURGERY?
Greg Murphy said, "This affect me in a negative way. I was supposed to have a procedure before my insurance changed and now I can’t do it."
Piedmont Hospital says – you’ll have to reschedule the appointment for some later date, or go now and pay the higher out-of-network costs.
I'M PREGNANT, WHAT NOW?
Nikki Whitton asked, "What do I do? I’m seven months pregnant and my doctor is only affiliated with Piedmont."
Certain patients can apply for continuity of care on the KeepPiedmont website so they can continue to pay the lower in-network rates.
Matt Gove is with Piedmont Healthcare and explained their stance:
“Specifically around pregnancy, and around cancer patients, and their procedures, and if they’re in an on-going care regimen, we will do whatever we can to assist those patients to make sure their forms are filled out correctly and are seen by Blue Cross as quickly as possible.”
Additionally, Blue Cross said you can always call the number on the back of your insurance card and try to reach someone that way for help while the hospital and the insurance company try to reach a new contract to resume the in-network coverage.
