Effective Jan. 1, 2017, Saint Thomas Health’s hospitals and physicians with Saint Thomas Medical Partners will be part of a Marketplace plan, Cigna Connect. Saint Thomas Health is part of Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic and nonprofit health system.
In late September, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST) announced a decision to end coverage on Dec. 31, 2016, via the Marketplace plans in the Middle Tennessee region. This region includes Cheatham, Davidson, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson and Wilson counties.
“Our leaders have worked tirelessly to find a way for these patients to continue their healthcare without any disruption,” said Karen Springer, President and CEO of Saint Thomas Health, who also serves as Senior Vice President, Ascension Healthcare, a division of Ascension. “As a part of Ascension, Saint Thomas Health is an advocate for 100 percent access, and we are committed to serving our communities and those persons in need.”
Middle Tennesseans who purchased their coverage via the Marketplace and who were covered by BCBST and received their care from Saint Thomas Health or Saint Thomas Medical Partners will be able to continue their care in 2017 by signing up for Cigna Connect during the open enrollment period beginning Nov. 1, 2016.
“We are pleased to continue to provide care for our patients without a lapse in coverage – this is a wonderful example of community leaders, healthcare organizations and physicians coming together to serve the best interest of our community,” said Fahad Tahir, President and CEO of Saint Thomas Medical Partners.
For information on available plans and to enroll, visit Healthcare.gov. For the latest updates from Saint Thomas Health visit STHealth.com/exchange.
ABOUT SAINT THOMAS HEALTH
Saint Thomas Health is Middle Tennessee’s faith-based, not-for-profit health care system united as one healing community. Saint Thomas Health is focused on transforming the healthcare experience and helping people live healthier lives, with special attention to the poor and vulnerable. The regional health system includes nine hospitals: Saint Thomas Hospital for Spinal Surgery, Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital and Saint Thomas West Hospital in Nashville, Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro, Saint Thomas Hickman Hospital in Centerville, Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital in Smithville, Saint Thomas Highlands Hospital in Sparta, Saint Thomas River Park Hospital in McMinnville and Saint Thomas Stones River Hospital in Woodbury. A comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, clinics and rehabilitation facilities complements the hospital services and covers a 68-county area. Saint Thomas Health is a member of Ascension, the largest non-profit health system in the U.S. and the world’s largest Catholic health system. For more information, visit www.STHealth.com
ABOUT ASCENSION
Ascension (www.ascension.org) is a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. As the largest non-profit health system in the U.S. and the world’s largest Catholic health system, Ascension is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. In FY2016, Ascension provided more than $1.8 billion in care of persons living in poverty and other community benefit programs. Ascension includes approximately 150,000 associates and 36,000 aligned providers. Ascension’s Healthcare Division operates 2,500 sites of care – including 141 hospitals and more than 30 senior living facilities – in 24 states and the District of Columbia, while its Solutions Division provides a variety of services and solutions including physician practice management, venture capital investing, investment management, biomedical engineering, facilities management, clinical care management, information services, risk management, and contracting through Ascension’s own group purchasing organization.
