Condell committed to providing quality
This is a difficult time for patients, associates and affiliated independent physicians of Condell Medical Center. We are deeply disappointed and concerned about our unsuccessful attempts to renew our Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois contract and the impact on the entire community.
Some have said this disagreement is about money -- and it is. Under the old Blue Cross contract Condell loses money on every Blue Cross patient we care for. The increase we are asking for is commensurate with what other local hospitals currently receive and with what other insurers pay to Condell.
Additionally, Blue Cross owes Condell $25 million for care we have provided to patients since June. Condell has continued caring for Blue Cross patients even without this payment for more than four months. A circuit court judge agreed with Condell that this withholding of payment is a breach of contract by Blue Cross, and we have filed suit asked the court to force Blue Cross to pay us the $25 million. For a community hospital like Condell, that $25 million has a very big and personal impact. Condell counts on that money and all payments from insurers to function each and every day: to pay nurses' salaries, buy supplies and medication, run our operating rooms, provide CT scans and preventive care and many other procedures patients expect from a medical center.
We recognize it is ultimately the patients with Blue Cross insurance who lose in this situation. As of Nov. 1, Condell is considered out-of-network for all Blue Cross PPO and HMO patients. We want patients to know we will do what we can to help you get through this difficult time.
First and foremost, we want to assure you that the care and treatment you receive at Condell will not be impacted. We are committed to providing all of our patients with the highest quality health care possible -- regardless of who their insurer is or even if they have insurance. No one who comes to us for care will ever be turned away. That is our mission and our pledge to you. For our Blue Cross patients, we have financial counselors at every Condell facility to help and you can call Condell's patient care representatives at (847) 990-5360 for assistance. Our Web site, www.keepcondell.org, includes timely updates and information to clarify this frequently confusing situation. And we continue to reach out directly to employers across the area to keep them updated.
On behalf of the medical staff, nurses and all of our dedicated Condell staff, thank you for trusting us with your health-care needs. This disagreement with Blue Cross is a bitter pill for us all to swallow. As health-care providers, we prefer to focus on the quality of care rather than financial arrangements. Please know that we will do all we can to help you through this time.
Dennis C. Millirons
President and CEO
Condell Medical
Libertyville