Ensuring your access to quality, affordable healthcare
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas must put patients over profits
CHI St. Vincent stands ready to reach a fair agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas that protects your access to safe, high-quality care from the providers you know and trust. After more than a year of negotiations, Blue Cross Blue Shield walked away from the table Sept. 1, effectively forcing CHI St. Vincent providers and care sites out of network. As a result, thousands of patients with Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance have lost access to specialty care available only through CHI St. Vincent.
This was not the outcome we have been working toward, and please know that we have not and will not walk away. We remain fully committed to reaching a new agreement as quickly as possible, but the agreement must equitably address the need for fair reimbursement for the care we provide. Our goal is to protect patients’ access to vital healthcare resources while ensuring our ability to continue to provide quality services now and in the future.
A patient shares her story
Hear from a local patient about the specialized surgery that saved her life. Blue Cross Blue Shield members deserve access to high-quality care like this.
Why we are speaking up for our patients
In this op-ed, Dr. William Jones, MD explains why fair reimbursement is critical to maintaining access to high-quality care and investing in the services our community depends on.
The conversation in our community
Dr. William Jones, MD joined Good Morning Arkansas on KATV to discuss what this means for patients, why these negotiations matter and what patients should know.
From the doctors who care for our community
Our physicians see firsthand what access to local care means for patients and families.
Here’s why maintaining access to these services matters →
Latest Information
Read our latest announcement regarding negotiations with Blue Cross Blue Shield Arkansas.
CHI St. Vincent hospitals and caregivers have been caring for our communities for generations. As a nonprofit, mission-driven organization, fair agreements with insurance companies enable us to continue investing in our dedicated employees, provide exceptional care to our patients and ensure access to essential services for our community.
Your voice matters! Take action today to protect your healthcare access and choice:
Call Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas at the number on the back of your insurance card and ask them to work with CHI St. Vincent to reach a fair agreement that prioritizes patient care.
Talk to your employer’s human resources or benefits department and urge them to contact Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas on your behalf.
We are here to support you. Call (800) 258-5075 to speak with a member of our team if you have questions. (Monday - Friday from 10am - 10pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 6pm.)
FAQs
CHI St. Vincent has been negotiating in good faith with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas to reach a new agreement that ensures our community has continued access to the high-quality, affordable care they deserve. Our goal is to protect patients’ access to our physicians, nursing teams and other vital healthcare resources while ensuring our ability to continue to provide quality services now and in the future. Unfortunately, we have been unable to reach agreement, and CHI St. Vincent locations and providers are no longer in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas, effective Sept. 1, 2026.
For questions about these benefits, please call Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas using the number on the back of your insurance card.
CHI St. Vincent is doing absolutely everything we can to protect patient access to the doctors, nurses and services they know and trust. We will continue to advocate for a fair agreement that protects patients’ access to essential services and ensures long-term sustainability for healthcare in the communities we serve.
CHI St. Vincent has long-term network agreements with many health insurance companies. See the full list.
If you are currently receiving treatment, have an upcoming appointment or procedure, or have seen a physician in recent months, you may qualify for Continuity of Care benefits. These benefits may allow you to continue seeing your CHI St. Vincent provider and complete your treatment. Continuity of Care protections are provided under applicable state and federal law.
Healthcare conditions that may be covered by Continuity of Care include:
Acute conditions involving a sudden onset of symptoms that requires prompt medical attention of limited duration;
Ongoing services as part of a course of treatment, such as chemotherapy, hyperbaric treatment and radiation therapy;
Chronic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, orthopedic issues and others;
Maternity-related care;
Pediatric care between the ages of birth and 36 months;
Services related to a terminal illness;
Authorized surgeries or other procedures scheduled to occur within 180 days of the contract’s termination; or
Other services previously authorized by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas.
For questions about these benefits, please call Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas using the number on the back of your insurance card.