On the table
Even before insurer Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and Moses Cone Health System, Guilford County's dominant health-care provider, resumed talks on a new contract, some readers were taking a pox-on-both-their-houses approach to the dispute. More than one has suggested that the insurance commissioner's office get involved, although that agency does not get involved in contract disputes.
What's your suggestion? What pressure, if any, can the public put on these two health-care entities to speed negotiations? And should they be speeded up if the original Nov. 1 deadline is no longer in play?
UPDATE: Reader Barbara Roth sends this suggestion:
Both sides need an incentive to quickly resolve the dispute and I can't think of a better one than to hurt them both in their pocketbooks while the dispute continues. So I know they plan NOW to keep coverage while discussing their disagreements but my thoughts are that once a hospital system refuses to accept coverage from BCBSNC and BCBSNC does not come to some workable solution with the hospital system that BCBSNC policyholders should be exempt from paying medical bills at the hospital system in question (until the dispute gets settled) AND also to be given coverage by the insurance company but not have to pay their premiums while the dispute continues. That way the consumer is protected and the 2 parties are shafted. I think they both deserve it for leaving their customers and patients twisting in the wind and I think this should be applied to every insurance company and hospital system in the state so they know they will pay for their refusal to get an agreement done.
