Grady Memorial Hospital is no longer accepting coverage from a major insurer.
The safety net hospital and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia weren't able to reach an agreement on reimbursements after nearly a year of negotiations. The contract between the two ended Nov. 24.
Hospital spokeswoman Lindsay Caulfield said Blue Cross pays Grady up to 70 percent less than it pays other Georgia hospitals.
"By paying us unfairly low rates, Blue Cross Blue Shield has long put Grady at a disadvantage and threatens our long-term sustainability," Caulfield said in a statement. "We are not asking for more than we deserve."
A statement from Blue Cross, however, says the insurer understand the "unique and important" role Grady plays as Atlanta's safety net and that it has long supported the hospital, including significant contribution to the recent renovation of its maternity ward.
Blue Cross pays Grady fairly with rates that are consistent with other Level 1 trauma hospitals in Georgia, said Scott Larrivee, a spokesman for the insurer. Grady was seeking unrealistic price increases, and Blue Cross did submit multiple proposals with price increases but were rejected by Grady, Larrivee said.
"We remain committed to continuing negotiations with Grady to reach an agreement with fair, predictable, and sustainable contract terms that are in everyone’s best interests – particularly our members," he said.
Both Grady and Blue Cross emphasized that patients will still have access to emergency care at the hospital.
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