Memorial, BlueCross lock horns over rates

Memorial Health Care System's contract with the state's largest health insurer expires in six weeks, and the hospital is asking the public to help in the dispute over reimbursement rates. Memorial executives say their reimbursement from BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee "significantly lags the market," but BlueCross counters that Memorial has asked for a reimbursement increase four times the rate of inflation, as the two sides jockey for advantage in ongoing negotiations. The nonprofit hospital warns patients on its website that unless an agreement with the insurer is reached by July 31, Memorial and Memorial Hospital Hixson will be considered "out of network."