FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Blue Shield Offers to Extend Previous

CONTACT: Blue Shield of California
Stephen Shivinsky
Corporate Communications
415-229-5447
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Blue Shield Offers to Extend Previous Agreement with Sutter for Two Years
Extension would not include “rate rollbacks”
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (January 21, 2015) --- Blue Shield of California today offered to
extend its contract with Sutter Health through December 31, 2016, to resolve the
dispute between the two companies. Blue Shield’s proposal would maintain the
terms that were in place from 2012 through 2014, except for changes required by
law and to limit inflation adjustments.
Sutter’s January 20th proposal was not a contract extension. Under their proposal,
Sutter would have the ability to increase their charges at will.
Juan Davila, Blue Shield’s Executive Vice President for Health Care Quality and
Affordability, said, “What Sutter proposed yesterday is not a long term solution for
patients. It is in Sutter’s best interest, not our members’. We view Sutter’s proposal
as giving them the opportunity to raise rates without controls.
“We think our members and customers would appreciate a real agreement. By
offering a two year contract extension, patients can feel secure and have the
peace of mind knowing that their doctor will remain in network. Also, customers
who want to preserve their legal rights to a jury trial may do so.
“The time has come to resolve this dispute for patients, members and customers.
We believe both sides should be able to agree to this extension very quickly and
continue to give Blue Shield members and Sutter Health patients access to
affordable care.”
Background on Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California, an independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield
Association, is a not-for-profit health plan with 3.4 million members, 5,000
employees and more than $13 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 and
headquartered in San Francisco, Blue Shield of California provides health, dental,
vision, and Medicare health care service plans in California. The company’s
Blue Shield of California
50 Beale Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
blueshieldca.com
mission is to ensure all Californians have access to high-quality care at an
affordable price. Blue Shield has contributed more than $325 million over the past
ten years to the Blue Shield of California Foundation. Contact your local agent or
broker about Blue Shield of California products and services, or visit
www.blueshieldca.com.