Teaching hospitals left out in the push to cut insurance premiums

For Steve Smith, a 62-year-old with prostate cancer, the ability to keep his urologist was the decisive factor when he bought health insurance for this year. Smith, who lives in the Shaw neighborhood, lost his coverage when his employer closed its St. Louis location in 2013. He was able to keep his current Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plan — and his doctor — through the end of the year. But when it came time to purchase his own insurance, he had only one choice on HealthCare.gov if he wanted to keep the urologist he has seen since his diagnosis about six years ago. He had to pick a Coventry Healthcare plan, which included BJC HealthCare — the biggest hospital system in St. Louis — in its provider network.