Blue Shield of California worked closely with Stanford Health Care to establish a new network agreement that supports affordable, sustainable health care for individuals and employers. However, the nonprofit health insurance plan and Stanford Health Care have failed to reach an agreement at this point.
This means that effective June 29, 2024, Stanford Health Care facilities in Santa Clara and Alameda counties are no longer part of Blue Shield’s member network. The affected hospitals include Stanford Health Care Medical Center, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley.
“Blue Shield recognizes the challenges posed by the rising cost of health care and we are negotiating on behalf of our members and customers to achieve our shared goal of reasonably priced health coverage,” said Patty Gonzalez, vice president of network management at Blue Shield. “While we are disappointed not to have reached an agreement at this time, both parties continue to work toward a resolution to continue our long-standing network relationship.”
Affected members were notified this week. Blue Shield’s priority is to ensure that its members continue to have uninterrupted access to care from a network provider in their community. The health plan is working diligently with its customers, members and network providers to ensure a smooth transition. Blue Shield has an extensive hospital network in Alameda and Santa Clara counties that includes the following facilities that are available to health plan members.
- UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals
- UCSF Medical Center
- Health at El Camino
- Good Samaritan Hospital
- O’Connor Hospital
- San Jose Regional Medical Center
- Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
- John Muir Health Care
- Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
Blue Shield members currently receiving treatment at a Stanford Health Care facility may have the option to continue receiving treatment. More information can be found here: Continuity of Care | Blue Shield of CA (blueshieldca.com). Members can also contact Blue Shield customer service at the number on the back of their membership card.
Blue Shield members who need emergency services should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Blue Shield will provide the full level of emergency care benefits for these services, including if the emergency services are provided at a Stanford Health Care facility.
About Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California is dedicated to creating a health care system that is worthy of family and friends and that is sustainably affordable. The health insurance plan is an independent, nonprofit, tax-paying member of the Blue Shield Association, which has more than 4.8 million members, more than 7,100 employees and more than $25 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its subsidiaries provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare benefits in California. The company has contributed more than $77 million to the Blue Shield of California Foundation over the past three years to impact California communities. For more information about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com. Or follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook.
