CHI St. Vincent No Longer In-Network with Arkansas Blue Cross Starting Sept. 1

CHI St. Vincent, a part of the national CommonSpirit Health system, is no longer an in-network provider for Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield (ABCBS) plans as of Sept. 1, 2026, following the health system's decision to leave the insurer's network.

According to an announcement from Arkansas Blue Cross, the change impacts Arkansas Blue Medicare, BlueAdvantage Administrators of Arkansas, the Federal Employees Program, Health Advantage, Octave Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and Skai Blue Cross and Blue Shield. However, it does not apply to Medi-Pak Medicare supplement plans.

Claims for services rendered through Aug. 31, 2026, will still be reimbursed at in-network rates, but services provided on or after Sept. 1 will be processed at out-of-network benefit levels, the insurer stated.

Arkansas Blue Cross clarified that in-network healthcare providers with admitting privileges at CHI St. Vincent or other CommonSpirit-owned facilities are unaffected by the network exit, provided those providers remain part of the Arkansas Blue Cross network. However, any claims for referrals to CHI St. Vincent facilities or providers directly employed by the health system will be considered out-of-network except in limited cases.

Prescriptions written by CHI St. Vincent physicians and filled at in-network pharmacies will continue to be covered under members’ existing benefits and are unaffected by the network status of the prescribing provider.

Affected members may qualify for continuity-of-care coverage, allowing them to maintain in-network benefits for up to 90 days after receiving an out-of-network notice or until their current course of treatment concludes, provided that switching providers would be inappropriate or unsafe.

Alicia Berkemeyer, executive vice president and chief health management officer at Arkansas Blue Cross, expressed disappointment in CHI St. Vincent’s decision but acknowledged the contributions of the hospital system over the years. "We greatly appreciate the care CHI St. Vincent’s providers, facilities, and staff have delivered to our members throughout our company’s entire 77-year history," she said in a statement.

In a statement on its website, CHI St. Vincent indicated its intention to continue negotiations with Arkansas Blue Cross. "This was not the outcome we have been working toward," the message read. "We remain fully committed to reaching a new agreement as quickly as possible, but the agreement must equitably address the need for fair reimbursement for the care we provide."

Members with questions about their health plan coverage can contact Arkansas Blue Cross for further information.