Our current agreement with BlueCross BlueShield expired on October 30, 2024, and Phoenix Children’s is no longer an in-network provider.

Seek Continuity of Care

See Plans We Accept

Leer en Español

 

Effective October 31, 2024, the care you or your child receives from Phoenix Children’s, as well as our physician providers and urgent care centers, is out-of-network unless and until a new agreement can be reached, and you may see changes in your financial responsibility for care received at Phoenix Children’s.

If your child currently receives care with Phoenix Children’s, we urge you to review the full list of the plans we accept here. It is the open enrollment season and if your employer offers multiple health plans, please consider selecting a plan which includes Phoenix Children’s as a participating provider.

If you are currently undergoing ongoing treatment for a specific medical condition or illness, you may be eligible for continuity of care benefits. To learn more about the continuity of care available to your family, we urge you to reach out to BlueCross BlueShield.

We will continue to work with BlueCross BlueShield to reach an agreement that addresses the significant number of routine denials, and one that supports the expanded, expert care we provide to children and their families throughout our community.

If you have questions about your benefits, please contact BlueCross BlueShield directly. 

Frequently Asked Questions: Phoenix Children’s and BlueCross BlueShield Contract Negotiation

As of October 31, 2024, all Phoenix Children’s providers, including Phoenix Children’s two Hospital locations, Phoenix Children’s Medical Group, Phoenix Children’s Pediatrics and Phoenix Children’s Urgent Care locations will be out-of-network for all patients with BlueCross BlueShield commercial plans. You may have to pay more if you receive care at Phoenix Children’s. BlueCross BlueShield plans serving those with Medicaid/AHCCCS are not impacted by this negotiation.

We are in regular discussions with BlueCross BlueShield but have not reached a new agreement yet. Phoenix Children’s is focused on reaching an agreement that allows us to continue providing the highest quality of care to our growing community as patient families deserve exceptional pediatric care close to home. 

As of October 31, 2024, Phoenix Children’s and BlueCross BlueShield are no longer contracted. This means you may no longer have in-network benefits with our providers under BlueCross BlueShield’s commercial health plans. You may continue to access our health care providers and hospitals for health care services as follows:

  • Emergency Care: Emergency care access is not impacted. You may continue to receive emergency care at our Emergency Rooms, regardless of our network status with BlueCross BlueShield.
  • Continuity/Transition of Care: Certain patients may be eligible to receive “Continuity of Care” or “Transition of Care” benefits with BlueCross BlueShield for a short period of time if they need ongoing treatment for a specific illness or medical condition only. For questions about ongoing care or benefits coverage, please call the phone number listed on the back of your BlueCross BlueShield insurance card.
  • Out-Of-Network Care: You may still access our health care providers and hospitals for health care services if you have an out-of-network benefit. In some situations, BlueCross BlueShield may authorize in-network benefits if alternative providers are not available in the service area. Please call the number listed on the back of your insurance card to discuss your specific in or out-of-network benefits with BlueCross BlueShield.
  • Open Enrollment Plan Selection: If you are in the open enrollment period and your employer offers multiple plans, please consider selecting a plan that includes Phoenix Children’s.  Phoenix Children’s is not in the BlueCross BlueShield network. 

To discuss your specific plan and how it may be impacted, please call the number listed on the back of your insurance card to review your specific in or out-of-network benefits with BlueCross BlueShield. BlueCross BlueShield plans serving those with Medicaid/AHCCCS are not impacted by this negotiation.

Phoenix Children’s two hospitals, Phoenix Children’s Medical Group, Phoenix Children’s Pediatrics and Phoenix Children’s Urgent Care Centers, are out-of-network as of October 31, 2024.

Please call the number listed on the back of your insurance card to discuss your specific in or out-of-network benefits with BlueCross BlueShield. Phoenix Children’s also offers self-pay options, and you are welcome to access our services as a self-pay patient. Call our financial counselors to facilitate an estimate at 602-933-2000.

We understand you may already have appointments scheduled on or after October 31, 2024. If this is the case, you may qualify for Continuity of Care or Transition of Care benefits for a short period of time if your child needs ongoing treatment for a specific illness or medical condition only. For any questions about your BlueCross BlueShield Continuity of Care or Transition of Care benefits coverage, call the customer service phone number on the back of your health insurance card.

You may still access our health care providers and hospitals for health care services if you have out-of-network benefits. In some situations, BlueCross BlueShield may authorize in-network benefits if alternative providers are not available in the service area. Please call the number listed on the back of your insurance card to discuss your specific in or out-of-network benefits with BlueCross BlueShield.

Emergency care access is not impacted. Patients may continue to receive emergency care at our three Emergency Rooms, regardless of our network status with BlueCross BlueShield.

At this time, it is difficult to determine how long we may be out-of-network. We are in ongoing communication with BlueCross BlueShield. We recognize and value our relationship with our patients and remain open to discussions with BlueCross BlueShield to reach an agreement.

September 30, 2024

Dear Valued Patient Family,

If BlueCross BlueShield is the current health plan for you or your child, we want to inform you of a possible change that may impact your ability to receive in-network services from Phoenix Children’s after October 30, 2024. Your child’s care is important to us, and we want to give you as much notice as possible should our network status change.

Health systems like Phoenix Children’s periodically update agreements with health plans and we are currently in discussions with BlueCross BlueShield about a new agreement. Unfortunately, if an agreement is not reached by October 30, 2024, Phoenix Children’s will no longer be a contracted in-network provider with BlueCross BlueShield after such date.

The care you receive from Phoenix Children’s, including hospitals, clinics and urgent care locations, would be considered out-of-network with BlueCross BlueShield on October 31, 2024, and you may see changes in your financial responsibility for care at Phoenix Children’s.

Emergency care is not impacted. You may continue to receive emergency care at our three Emergency Room locations at in-network benefit levels, regardless of our network status with BlueCross BlueShield. Please contact your health plan directly to learn more about the difference between in-network and out-of-network benefits under your plan.

Certain patients may be eligible to receive “Continuity of Care” or “Transition of Care” in-network benefits at Phoenix Children’s with BlueCross BlueShield for a short period of time if they need ongoing treatment for a specific illness or medical condition only. For questions about ongoing care or benefits coverage, please call the phone number listed on the back of your insurance card. You can also find answers to frequently asked questions below.

Please know we will continue to work with BlueCross BlueShield over the coming weeks to reach an agreement and hopefully avoid any disruption to the exceptional care you’ve come to expect from Phoenix Children’s. In the meanwhile, if you have questions about your benefits or wonder how you can help avoid this disruption, please contact BlueCross BlueShield directly, or speak with your human resources department/employer and make them aware of your concerns.

We greatly appreciate the trust you have shown by allowing us to care for you and your child, and we look forward to continuing to serve the needs of your family.

Frequently Asked Questions: Phoenix Children’s and BlueCross BlueShield Contract Negotiation

Nothing is changing for you until October 31, 2024, as negotiations between Phoenix Children’s and BlueCross BlueShield have been ongoing. If an agreement cannot be reached by the termination date of October 30, 2024, all Phoenix Children’s providers, including Phoenix Children’s Hospital – Thomas Campus, Phoenix Children’s Hospital – Arrowhead Campus, Phoenix Children’s Medical Group, Phoenix Children’s Pediatrics and Phoenix Children’s Urgent Care locations will be out-of-network for all patients with a BlueCross BlueShield health plan. You may have to pay more if you receive care at Phoenix Children’s.

We are working to remain in-network with BlueCross BlueShield but have not reached a new agreement yet. Phoenix Children’s is focused on reaching an agreement that allows us to continue providing the highest quality of care to our growing community as patient families deserve exceptional pediatric care close to home.

If termination occurs after October 30, 2024, Phoenix Children’s and BlueCross BlueShield will no longer be contracted. This means you may no longer have in-network benefits with our providers. You may continue to access our health care providers and hospitals for health care services as follows:

  • Emergency Care: Emergency care is not impacted. You may continue to receive emergency care at our three Emergency Rooms at in-network benefit levels, regardless of our network status with BlueCross BlueShield.
  • Continuity/Transition of Care: Certain patients may be eligible to receive “Continuity of Care” or “Transition of Care” in-network benefits with BlueCross BlueShield for a short period of time if they need ongoing treatment for a specific illness or medical condition only. For questions about ongoing care or benefits coverage, please call the phone number listed on the back of your insurance card.
  • Out-Of-Network Care: You may still access our health care providers and hospitals for health care services if you have an out-of-network benefit. In some situations, BlueCross BlueShield may authorize in-network benefits if alternative providers are not available in the service area. Please call the number listed on the back of your insurance card to discuss your specific in or out-of-network benefits with BlueCross BlueShield.

Phoenix Children’s agreement with BlueCross BlueShield is for all Commercial products, including out-of-state BlueCross BlueShield plans, in which we are listed as a participating provider. Any members covered under the BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona Individual and Families ACA PPO Plans and Federal Employee Plans will not be impacted through December 31, 2024. If you are uncertain or believe you are not affected by the termination, please call the number listed on the back of your insurance card to discuss your specific in or out-of-network benefits with BlueCross BlueShield.

Phoenix Children’s Hospital – Thomas Campus, Phoenix Children’s Hospital – Arrowhead Campus, Phoenix Children’s Medical Group, Phoenix Children’s Pediatrics and Phoenix Children’s Urgent Care Centers, will be out-of-network if agreement is not reached with BlueCross BlueShield by October 30, 2024.

Please call the number listed on the back of your insurance card to discuss your specific in or out-of-network benefits with BlueCross BlueShield. Phoenix Children’s also offers self-pay options, and you are welcome to access our services as a self-pay patient. Call our financial counselors to facilitate an estimate at 602-933-2000.

To ensure Phoenix Children’s continues to be in-network, talk to BlueCross BlueShield, or your human resources department/employer directly to stress the importance of having in-network access to Phoenix Children’s.

We understand you may already have appointments scheduled after October 30, 2024. If this is the case, you may qualify for Continuity of Care or Transition of Care in-network benefits for a short period of time if your child needs ongoing treatment for a specific illness or medical condition only. For any questions about your BlueCross BlueShield Continuity of Care or Transition of Care benefits coverage, call the customer service phone number on the back of your health insurance card.

You may still access our health care providers and hospitals for health care services if you have out-of-network benefits. In some situations, BlueCross BlueShield may authorize in-network benefits if alternative providers are not available in the service area. Please call the number listed on the back of your insurance card to discuss your specific in or out-of-network benefits with BlueCross BlueShield.

Emergency care is not impacted. Patients may continue to receive emergency care at our three Emergency Rooms throughout the Valley at in-network benefit levels, regardless of our network status with BlueCross BlueShield.