Blue Cross Blue Shield and Springfield Clinic reach agreement

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Blue Cross Blue Shield and Springfield Clinic have come to an agreement.

That agreement will be in effect for five years. The agreement is expected to start at the beginning of the year.

Springfield Clinic doctors will now be considered in network if you have Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance.

Rep. Sue Scherer said, "We've been working on this for two years. Big things take a long time. I couldn't be happier for my constituents who have lost their insurance or their doctor."

In a statement, Springfield Clinic said, "Springfield Clinic and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois have agreed to a new five-year agreement that will allow patients/members to return to in-network status at Springfield Clinic beginning on Jan 1, 2024. Patients that want to establish in-network care should call Springfield Clinic during normal business hours, after December 26th."

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois said, "Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is glad to have Springfield Clinic back in our network starting January 1, as part of an agreement that preserves access to quality health care for our members and employer groups. The Clinic has more than 650 well-respected medical professionals who once again are part of our network of more than 130,000 providers across Illinois. This will continue our focus on providing broad access to health care providers for our members and customers across the state. Individuals with questions about their coverage can call the number on the back of their Blue Cross insurance card, on or after January 1."