Cigna tells Rutherford County it is negotiating to keep Sumner Regional, warns some surgery centers could go out of network
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Cigna representatives told the commission on Dec. 18 they are negotiating with LifePoint/Sumner Regional and with Tenet Health; letters were sent to 122 county members warning a Tenet ambulatory surgery center may be out of network on Jan. 1.
Cigna told the Rutherford County Commission on Dec. 18 that it is actively negotiating with two hospital systems to keep services in-network for county plan members.
"Cigna ... was excellent to work with," Chairman Phillips said, praising the insurer's service after a recent hospitalization. Paul Huffman, a Cigna representative, said the company has an extension with Sumner Regional through Jan. 1 and is in ongoing discussions with LifePoint, which owns Sumner Regional. He said the company is hopeful those talks will preserve the hospital in the network.
Huffman also described negotiations with Tenet Health and said letters were sent Dec. 1 to "122 Rutherford County members who utilized 1 of the surgery centers during the last 18 months to let them know that... that surgery center may not be in network, as of January 1," creating a potential short-term disruption for some members.
"We do anticipate a good result," Huffman said, adding that Cigna communicates with the provider groups and sends members a follow-up letter if a contract is reached.
The update did not include a finalized contract or a timetable guaranteeing all providers will remain in network; Huffman said negotiations were ongoing and that Cigna would update the county if and when agreements were reached. Commissioners did not vote on any contract or policy at the meeting.