Update: Regence BlueShield

Contract Negotiations
as of July 10, 2014

If you have Regence BlueShield of Washington health insurance, we want to inform you that Regences
contract with Harrison Medical Center and Harrison HealthPartners is scheduled to end on July 30, 2014
unless a new contract is signed. Both Harrison and Regence will continue to negotiate in good faith and
hope to reach an agreement. However, if an agreement is not reached, this means it will soon cost you
more for our services. Weve put together this handout to help answer your questions about our
contract with Regence BlueShield.
Q: Why did this happen?
A: Harrison would very much like to stay a part of the Regence network; however, we are not able to
accept the level of rate reimbursement for our medical services they have proposed. We will notify
Regence BlueShield enrollees immediately if a new contract agreement is reached.

Q: I am currently insured by Regence. What does this mean to me?
A: If a new contract is not signed, starting July 31, your Harrison physician and all other Harrison
services will no longer be part of the Regence network of hospitals and doctors. That means
Regence BlueShield of Washington will consider Harrison an out-of-network provider. As a
result, youll face higher out-of-pocket costs if you continue to rely on Harrison Medical Center or
Harrison HealthPartners for your healthcare.

Its important to let you know that while Harrison Medical Center is now affiliated with Franciscan
Health System, Franciscan services are not affected by our contract termination with Regence
BlueShield of Washington. This means that St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor will remain in-
network for plan participants.

Q: Are there any Regence plans that are NOT affected?
A: No. All Regence BlueShield plans are affected by this termination. This includes:
Uniform Medical Plan
Federal Employee Plan (professional services)
Medicare Advantage
BridgeSpan
All other commercial plans

Q: I live and work here and want local healthcare. How can I have the same coverage
when I see my Harrison doctor and use Harrison Medical Center?
A: Talk to your employer or insurance broker. They may be able to hold a special open enrollment
and allow you to switch to another insurance provider that covers services at Harrison
HealthPartners and Harrison Medical Center. We are proud of our commitment to accept nearly
every insurance plan serving this ear. While we may be unable to accept Regence BlueShield
insurance in the future, we welcome dozens of other leading health plans.


Q. My insurance card says BlueShield but not Regence. Am I affected?

A: No. This means you have BlueShield coverage from an out-of-state plan. Our services will likely still
be considered in-network. We suggest you contact your insurance company to confirm

Q: What if Im expecting a baby this summer or Im receiving ongoing treatment for
cancer or another medical condition. Will I need to find a new hospital and physicians?
A: Regence BlueShield should allow patients requiring ongoing care or who have prescheduled medical
visits to receive the same level of coverage past the July 30 contract expiration. However, you
should check with Regence to ensure that you have coverage for care or services you may be
receiving from your Harrison physician or any of our hospitals or health services.

Regence BlueShield of Washington may allow you to continue with your same level of coverage for
chronic conditions or second and third trimester pregnancies. This decision is up to Regence, it will
make the final determination about what it will continue to cover. The Regence BlueShield
customer service number is 888-344-6347.

Q: I have a surgical procedure scheduled that will be after the July 30 contract termination.
What should I do?
A: Call Regence BlueShield at 888-344-6347. You have a few options. You may select another location
for your surgery or reschedule it until after you have secured another healthcare insurance provider
to avoid higher out-of-pocket costs.

Q: Why wont Harrison Medical Center just sign a new contract with Regence?
A: We worked hard to reach agreement with Regence but we are unable to accept the rates for
reimbursement that Regence requested. Their rates continue to be significantly lower than those of
other commercial insurance carriers that have contracts with Harrison. This simply isnt reasonable
during a time of increasing costs in technology, medicine, labor, equipment, and a new Epic
electronic medical record system which is being implemented this year. We are, however,
continuing to negotiate in good faith and hope to reach an agreement.

Q: Harrison is now affiliated with Franciscan Health System. Does this dispute affect other
Franciscan services?
A: No. This contract dispute does not involve other Franciscan services. But it does impact the vital
services offered by Harrison Medical Center throughout Kitsap, Mason, and Jefferson counties.

Q: What will happen to my healthcare records? Can they be transferred?
A: Your health records will be retained and can also be transferred.

Q: Is there any chance this situation may change?
A: We will notify you if a new agreement is reached.

Q: Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
A: Depending on your needs, you may contact the appropriate office below:
For hospital-related care, contact the Harrison Medical Center billing office at 360-744-6610.
For Harrison HealthPartners clinics, contact the Harrison HealthPartners patient accounts office
at 360-744-1805.
For media inquiries, contact Scott Thompson, Franciscan media relations manager, at 253-382-
3858.

Harrison Medical Center services that will not have a contract with Regence BlueShield of
Washington starting July 30, 2014:
Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton and Silverdale
Harrison HealthPartners clinics
Harrison urgent care centers in Port Orchard and Belfair

Harrison Home Health

For a complete list of locations, please visit our website, or speak with one of our patient account
representatives at the numbers mentioned above.