Northwest Texas Healthcare System, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas to Improve Patient Access to Quality Care
New Contract marks the first agreement in more than 20 years
Northwest Texas Healthcare System, owned and operated by Universal Health Services, Inc., and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) today announced a contract that provides in-network access for BCBSTX members at all Northwest Texas Healthcare System facilities. This agreement marks the first time in 20 years that Northwest Texas Healthcare System has been a part of the BCBSTX network of providers.
Building upon a shared desire to ensure individuals within the northwest region of Texas have additional access to high-quality care, the two organizations have organized an in-network agreement. Effective December 15, 2017, the agreement allows BCBSTX members in the Amarillo-area with Blue Essentials, Health Select, PPO, and Traditional plans to receive in-network care at the following facilities: Northwest Texas Healthcare System, the Freestanding Emergency Department at Town Square, the Northwest Surgical Hospital on Soncy, Northwest Physicians Group Clinics at Canyon, the Urgent Care Clinics (NE and SE), Women’s and Children’s Clinic (NE and SE), JO Wyatt, The Craig, Ridgeview, The Heart Hospital at Northwest, The Children’s Hospital at Northwest and The Pavilion (Behavioral Health Hospital). This agreement does not include Blue Advantage HMO (BAV) plan members.
“With high-quality patient care as our number one priority, we are excited that this collaborative relationship with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas will improve access, and the cost of healthcare services for patients and their families,” said Frank Lopez, Regional Vice President, Universal Health Services. “This new relationship marks a monumental step for our organization. We very much look forward to serving residents of the community who are covered under Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Residents will now be able to enjoy true ‘choice’ for healthcare and enjoy access to care that is patient-centered, which is what we strive to deliver at Northwest.”
"This is good news because when health care consumers have more choices, it generally improves the overall quality of care available," said State Representative John Smithee.
About Northwest Texas Healthcare System
Northwest Texas Healthcare System, a 495-bed academic teaching facility based in Amarillo, Texas, is well known for its heart, emergency, stroke and children's care as well as many other clinical services. The Texas Department of State Health Services has designated Northwest Texas Healthcare as the Lead Trauma Facility for the top 26 counties within the Texas Panhandle. A satellite emergency facility, Northwest Emergency at Town Square, expands the hospital's reach in providing trauma care to the region.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) — the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas — is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 80,000 physicians and healthcare practitioners, and 500 hospitals to serve 5 million members in all 254 counties. BCBSTX is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma and New Mexico), the country’s largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.