Thousands of patients across the Houston area are now dealing with confusion and financial uncertainty after a major contract dispute between Memorial Hermann Health System and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas.

Thousands of Houston-area patients with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) insurance may soon need to double-check whether their health plan will cover care at Memorial Hermann facilities, as negotiations continue on a new contract with a looming deadline.

Health insurers are hiking policy premiums in response to proposed federal cuts and rising costs in various parts of the health care sector.

Beware of a new phone scam targeting Houston residents under the guise of fake insurance visits.

Beware of a new phone scam targeting Houston residents under the guise of fake insurance visits.

Memorial Hermann announced Friday that it has reached a four-year agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, restoring in-network access to hospitals, facilities, and providers in the Houston region.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and Memorial Hermann failed to reach an agreement this week which resulted in Memorial Hermann hospitals, surgery centers and some doctors now being out of network for thousands of patients with BCBSTX insurance plans.

There’s an impasse between hospital Memorial Hermann and insurance company Blue Cross, Blue Shield that could lead to thousands of patients in our area losing access to their doctors.