Important Information for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Members

This update is intended to address recent developments in Condell’s ongoing contract negotiations with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Illinois.

Condell Medical Center understands that this has been a very difficult and confusing time for our patients, and that it also affects our local employers, hospital associates and physicians. With so much misinformation and many outdated facts floating around, we would like to take this opportunity to clarify the situation. Condell Medical Center believes you should know how we got to this impasse with BCBS.

Historically, Condell has received payments from BCBS that fall far short of the actual cost of providing care. Every time Condell treats a patient with BCBS insurance, we lose money. Regardless of this fact, we have continued serving BCBS members for years. We do not want to stop caring for our BCBS patients.

Like you, though, we face rising costs and cannot continue to accept insufficient reimbursement for the cost of giving care. Since 2006, Condell Medical Center has been working with BCBS to renew our contract, asking for stepped rate increases spread over the next several years that will allow us to break even on the services we provide BCBS patients.

Condell is eager to be flexible and work out a contract. But, in recent weeks, BCBS has halted conversations with us, refusing to participate in any further dialogue.

On the surface, this disagreement seems to be about money. But these events have a far more personal meaning. We need funds to pay nurses’ salaries, purchase medications and cover surgeries, emergency care, baby deliveries, preventive care, radiation and chemotherapy treatments and the many other necessary procedures and treatments our patients receive.

As of October 2007, BCBS owes Condell $25 million for care we have provided to BCBS patients since June. Recently, we asked the Circuit Court of Cook County to make BCBS pay the money owed to Condell under our existing contract.

The information contained in this website provides answers to questions about coverage and guidance on what you can expect in the coming months as Condell becomes out-of-network for many BCBS patients.

We appreciate your patience and are committed to serving the people of Lake County as we continue to do everything we can to help our BCBS patients through this difficult time.

Dennis C. Millirons, FACHE
President & CEO, Condell Medical Center

Condell Medical Center Board of Directors