Families in limbo as Phoenix Children’s, AZ Blue fail to reach deal

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The dispute between Phoenix Children’s Hospital and major insurer AZ Blue, also known as Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona (BCBS), has left dozens of families with limited options.

Phoenix Children’s Hospital (PCH) and BCBS are still not close to reaching an agreement. Just this month, the hospital announced it had cut ties with the insurance company after contract negotiations had stalled.

The decision has impacted dozens of families who can’t afford to pay out of pocket for medical treatment and don’t have many insurance options.

A Phoenix mom says her son Jay has been diagnosed with a rare heart disease and now may not be able to get the specialized care they need from PCH because of this.

“We got a Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plan that worked with PCH and the best cardiology team in the state, and that’s what we went with. Then we just found out Phoenix Children’s dropped Blue Cross Blue Shield, and now we can’t find the care for our son,” she said.

According to AZ Blue, the hospital turned down an $80 million raise, leading to the contract dispute. However, PCH called that offer “fictional” and said the AZ Blue offer was closer to $43 million.

Jay’s mom says that since she and her husband work for themselves, they have to buy individual health insurance coverage, and their options are limited.

“We don’t really know where to turn. We have talked to multiple insurance brokers. Even our insurance broker doesn’t know what to offer right now,” she said.

PCH does accept nearly 30 plans, but none of which Jay’s parents qualify for.

“We are frustrated. We don’t really know where to turn. We have talked to multiple insurance brokers. Even out insurance broker doesn’t know what to offer right now. It’s heartbreaking knowing the best healing pathway for your son, you can’t have access to it,” she said.

Both PCH and AZ Blue have a lot of information about this on their websites. If you’re in the same situation, it’s best to call the number on the back of your insurance card to find out how this affects your specific benefits.

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