“This new agreement allows Children’s to sustainably continue doing what we have always done: provide the best possible care for children and their families,” said Bob Bonar, chief executive officer at Children’s Minnesota. “It’s a demonstration of our shared commitment to ensuring the highest quality of specialized pediatric care is accessible and affordable to any child in need. Mike Guyette put it well at today’s news conference: we had to come back together for the benefit of our community’s kids and families.”
“Blue Cross is very pleased that our members now have clarity on the network status of Children’s and can continue to see their doctors,” said Michael Guyette, president and chief executive officer at Blue Cross. “Throughout this process, Blue Cross stressed the importance of payers and providers working together to improve the delivery and financing of health care in Minnesota. Children’s is an essential partner in this work, specifically our commitment to children’s health and access to quality care in the region.”
We thank the community for their patience, advocacy and support during this negotiation, and apologize for the disruption that it has caused. Blue Cross and Children’s Minnesota worked together in the best interest of children and families.
Members can receive more information by calling either the customer service number on the back of their I.D. card or the dedicated number for Children’s Minnesota at 1-855-579-7657. Children’s also has information at childrensMN.org.
About Children’s Minnesota
Children’s Minnesota is the seventh largest pediatric health system in the United States and the only health system in Minnesota to provide care exclusively to children, from before birth through young adulthood. An independent and not-for-profit system since 1924, Children’s serves kids throughout the Upper Midwest at two free-standing hospitals, 12 primary and specialty care clinics and six rehabilitation sites. Additionally, Children’s is Minnesota's only Level I pediatric trauma center inside a hospital dedicated solely to children. Children’s maintains its longstanding commitment to the community to improve children’s health by providing high-quality, family-centered pediatric services and advancing those efforts through research and education. This work is made possible in large part by generous philanthropic and volunteer support from individuals and organizations throughout the state and region. An award-winning health system, Children’s is regularly ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top children’s hospital. Please visit childrensMN.org.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota’s first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. A nonprofit, taxable organization, Blue Cross is the largest health plan based in Minnesota, covering 2.9 million members in Minnesota and nationally through its health plans or plans administered by its affiliated companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago. Go to bluecrossmn.com to learn more.