Your Questions

Our contracts with Houston-based Memorial Hermann expire on April 1, 2026. If we aren’t able to reach an agreement on new contracts, Memorial Hermann doctors, hospitals and other facilities will no longer be in our networks as of April 1.

We’re working closely with Memorial Hermann leadership and hope to sign new contracts before April 1. We want agreements that compensate Memorial Hermann fairly while being good stewards of your health care dollars. We value our relationship with Memorial Hermann, 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.

We’re hopeful. We’ll update this site when we have news to share.

If we can’t agree to fair terms with Memorial Hermann, and you’d like to stay in-network for your care, we’ll be here to make your move to other doctors and hospitals in your network as seamless as possible. 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 Memorial Hermann. Out-of-pocket costs may be higher if you do. We recommend verifying your out-of-network benefits and weighing your options to maximize your health benefits. 

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 your in-network benefit level for both 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 your PCP is with Memorial Hermann and leaves our networks on April 1, 2026, we can help you find a new PCP.

• Visit bcbstx.com and select Find Care, or visit your online provider directory 
• Log in to or sign up for your member account online or use the BCBSTX App 
• Call the number on your member ID card  

After April 1, 2026, if you haven’t selected a new PCP, we’ll choose one for you. Once you receive your new member ID card with your new PCP name, you can change this selection at any time with a provider who may better meet your medical needs. To change your PCP, log in to your member account online or use the BCBSTX App to make the switch.

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

When scheduling future procedures, we’ll let doctors know of the possible contract expiration and work with them to avoid disrupting your care. If needed, we’ll help them transition your care or schedule procedures with other in-network doctors, hospitals or facilities.

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

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.

If you are 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 Memorial Hermann at in-network rates even if they are no longer in 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 Memorial Hermann charges more.

If you have questions, call the 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.

View the list. 

The doctors and health care professionals employed by Memorial Hermann are part of this negotiation.

Not necessarily. Many doctors have privileges at other hospitals, or they can apply for privileges at other in-network hospitals. We encourage you to talk with your doctors about your care options.

Additionally, some health plans allow you to choose to go out-of-network. If you do, you will pay more out-of-pocket for any care you receive by out-of-network providers or at out-of-network facilities.

The doctors employed by Memorial Hermann are part of this negotiation. If we don’t come to an agreement, the doctors and the facilities will no longer be in network as of April 1.

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

Talk with your doctor. Ask if they are thinking about getting admitting privileges at another in-network facility.

If you have a procedure scheduled at a Memorial Hermann facility on or after April 1, 2026, please call the number on your member ID card to ask about your benefit coverage.

If you have a procedure performed before April 1, 2026, and your hospital stay goes past April 1, 2026, your care may be covered at the in-network level. We’ll work closely with Memorial Hermann to avoid issues with your bill, so you can focus on getting better.