Your Questions

We are negotiating new contracts with MCH and its doctors. If we aren’t able to reach an agreement on new contracts, MCH will no longer be in our networks as of Dec. 16, 2026.

We’re working closely with its leadership and hope to sign new contracts before Dec. 16. We want agreements that compensate MCH fairly while being good stewards of your health care dollars. We value our relationship with MCH, but it’s also important that the contracts we agree to are fair for our members and the local businesses we serve.

Our goal is to keep giving you access to a broad network of providers at fair prices. We watch the market closely to make sure we offer competitive rates to providers. This helps lower the cost of your premiums.

As a member-owned organization, we know you expect us to protect your health care dollars. The rates we negotiate with providers impact the amount you pay. Health care is a major cost for many people, and we owe it to you to keep prices down.

If we don’t sign new contracts, MCH will no longer be in your network. If you’d like to stay in network for your care, we’ll be here to help identify in-network providers. We have a robust network of providers to ensure you have access to quality in-network health care.

PPO members: Not necessarily. If you have a PPO plan that provides coverage for out-of-network benefits, you can choose to get care anywhere you want, including MCH. Out-of-pocket costs may be higher if you do.

HMO members: If you have an HMO plan, you must seek in-network care for your benefits to apply, except in emergencies.

Emergency services for PPO and HMO: In the case of a life-threatening illness or injury, go to the nearest emergency facility right away. Emergency services are covered at the in-network benefit level for PPO and HMO. Your responsibility for any additional charges will depend on your health plan and applicable law. Learn about surprise billing at bcbstx.com.

If you’re pregnant or being treated for a disability, acute condition or life-threatening illness, you may qualify as a continuity-of-care patient. This means you may still be able to receive care at MCH at in-network rates even if they leave our networks.

If you are eligible for continuity of care, you will not be balance billed or have to pay more than the amount covered by your plan, even if MCH charges more.

If you have questions, call the Customer Service number on your member ID card. Customer Advocates will help answer questions about your specific benefits and provide guidance.

Your doctor may also start the continuity-of-care process by calling the prior authorization number on your member ID card.

BCBSTX members: You may start the process by completing a Request for Continued Access to Providers form or by calling the number on your member ID card. Forms should be faxed to the number on the form. Once reviewed, you and/or your doctor may be contacted for more information, like medical records. A decision will be made and shared with you or your doctor, most often in less than a week.

Members of other Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans: If you are a member of a Blue Plan other than BCBSTX, you may call the number on your member ID card for help.

Yes. In the case of a life-threatening illness or injury, go to the nearest emergency facility right away. Emergency services are covered at your in-network benefit level. Your responsibility for any additional charges will depend on your health plan and applicable law.

See the Hospitals and Doctors tab for a list of impacted hospitals.

You have many choices for in-network care. For personalized search results based on your health plan and network, you can log in to your account online or use the BCBSTX App. You can also call the number on your member ID card.

We’ve told doctors that we’re discussing new contracts with MCH and its doctors. We’ll work with them to transition members and, if needed, schedule procedures at other in-network hospitals.

No, this does not impact you. Under our standard Medicare Supplement plans, you can keep using any provider that takes Medicare at your current benefit coverage level.

If MCH leaves our networks, Blue Cross Group Medicare Advantage Open Access (PPO) members can continue to receive care at their same coverage level for covered benefits with MCH if they agree to see you, accept Medicare assignment and will submit claims to BCBSTX. 

This negotiation may affect Blue Cross and Blue Shield members with plans in other states who access MCH. Call the Customer Service number on your member ID card to review your plan’s coverage or for help finding in-network options.

If your doctor is employed by MCH, they are part of this negotiation and may leave our networks on Dec. 16, 2026.

If your doctor is not employed by MCH but only has privileges at MCH, we want to help. We’re offering doctors who only have privileges at MCH the chance to send you to other in-network hospitals.

We’re also helping these doctors get admitting privileges at other in-network hospitals if they choose to do so. Talk with your doctor. Ask if they’re thinking about getting admitting privileges at another in-network hospital.

If you have a procedure scheduled at MCH on or after Dec. 16, 2026, please call the Customer Service number on your member ID card to ask about your benefit coverage.

If you have a procedure performed before Dec. 16, 2026, and your hospital stay goes past Dec. 16, 2026, your care may be covered at the in-network level. We’ll work closely with MCH to avoid issues with your bill so you can focus on getting better.