HonorHealth’s contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield

A: HonorHealth has been working to reach a new agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield prior to our contract termination on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. We are still at an impasse with Blue Cross Blue Shield, despite contract negotiations that have taken place for several months. Our goal is to finalize negotiations prior to the deadline, as we know it is disruptive to you if we go out-of-network with payers.

A: Nothing is changing for you at this time, as negotiations between HonorHealth and Blue Cross Blue Shield have been ongoing. If an agreement cannot be reached by Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, all HonorHealth facilities and all employed HonorHealth physicians will be out-of-network for all patients with a Blue Cross Blue Shield health plan (exceptions do apply and are listed below).

A: We are working to remain in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield but have not reached a new agreement yet. Through this contract negotiation with Blue Cross Blue Shield, HonorHealth is focused on strengthening our contract terms to ensure patients receive the care they need and that we receive payment in a timely manner. Additionally, to meet the needs of our growing community, we are committed to expanding access to care across the Valley, but Blue Cross Blue Shield’s restrictions limit our ability to grow. This includes not adding new facilities and providers at already agreed upon rates which results in having to negotiate new rates for services that are already provided within the network. 

HonorHealth offers a superior experience for patients, based on benchmarked data. We are simply asking for fair and reasonable reimbursement for the care we provide.

A: If you are a patient with Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance, we are currently handling appointment scheduling as follows:

• There are no changes to appointments or procedures that are currently scheduled at any HonorHealth facility on or after Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.
• If we are unable to reach an agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield, we intend to notify you as soon as possible so that you can be involved in the decision regarding your care.

A: Yes, you can continue to schedule new appointments and procedures.

A: The contract is for services provided at any HonorHealth facility and for all employed HonorHealth physicians.

A: HonorHealth participates in the following Blue Cross Blue Shield networks:

• HMO, PPO, EPO and POS
• Federal Employee Program® (FEP®) plans (Standard, Basic and Blue Focus)
• Indemnity
• CHS
• Statewide PPO
• Statewide PPO + Prosano
• Alliance PPO
• Alliance PPO + Prosano
• Premier Health (PPO plan with Statewide PPO Network)
• EverydayHealth PPO (PPO plan with the Statewide PPO Network)
• BlueSignature Prosano (PPO plan with the Alliance PPO Network that includes access to the Prosano Health Care Centers)
• EverydayHealth PPO
• Blue Best Life Classic (HMO plan) Medicare
• AZ Blue Medicare
• BlueJourney (PPO plan), Medicare

A: If an agreement is not reached by Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, the following continuing care obligations still apply:

• Members with Federal Employee Program® (FEP®) plans, until the end of 2025.
• Members with plans using the Alliance/Blue High-Performance Network, through the end of the member’s benefit plan year.
• Members eligible for continuity-of-care benefits, as described in the 2024 Provider Operating Guide, Section 12, pages 12-7 and 12-8.

Please note: Health Choice Arizona is not included in this contract and will have no changes.

A: Depending on your situation, you may quality for continuity-of-care benefits. Continuity of care applies if you are already scheduled for non-elective surgery or are undergoing treatment for:

• Serious and complex conditions, such as a condition that is life-threatening, degenerative, congenital or potentially disabling, and that requires specialized medical or behavioral healthcare over a prolonged period of time
• Pregnancy
• Inpatient services
• Terminal illness
• Post-operative care from non-elective surgery

For more information on continuity-of-care benefits and to see if you qualify, please call Blue Cross Blue Shield at the number located on the back of your insurance card.

A: Yes, if you have any Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance, even if it is located in another state, you will be impacted by this contract termination. Because you are seeking care in Arizona, you are using Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona’s network regardless of where your Blue Cross Blue Shield company is located.

A: If you have questions or concerns about your coverage, you are encouraged to call Blue Cross Blue Shield at the number located on the back of your insurance card.

A: HonorHealth is working to come to an agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield on new contract terms. As one of Arizona’s largest nonprofit health systems, serving a population of five million people across the greater Phoenix area, HonorHealth needs to ensure it negotiates fair and equitable contract terms with insurance companies to keep the delivery of quality healthcare sustainable.

A: Please call Blue Cross Blue Shield at the number located on the back of your insurance card to discuss your specific in- or out-of-network benefits. You may also create an estimate via HonorHealth’s MyChart tool by logging into your account. If you do not have a login, select the “Guest Cost Estimate” feature on the right side of the MyChart page. Estimates expire after 30 days.

A: Emergency care will not be impacted. You may continue to receive this type of care at any of our facilities that offer emergency care, regardless of our network status with Blue Cross Blue Shield.

A: Please talk to your insurance carrier, Blue Cross Blue Shield, or your benefits manager directly to stress the importance of having in-network access to HonorHealth.

A: We will continue to keep our patients informed as negotiations progress. For the most up-to-date information, please continue to check this page.