Landmark Announces Supreme Court OK For Deal Extending Blue Cross Coverage

Supreme Court Judge Michael Silverstein has approved a deal keeping  and Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island within the Blue Cross Blue Shield netork. 

"Today Supreme Court Judge Michael Silverstein approved a memorandum of understanding between Landmark Medical Center and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island to extend the previous provider agreement between both parties, making Landmark and the RehabilitationHospital of Rhode Island once again in-network with Blue Cross," read a release from Landmark distributed at about 5:15 p.m. today.

“We want to get the word out to local residents who rely on Landmark Medical Center that Landmark is once again officially considered in-network for all Blue Cross patients,” said Rick Charest, president ofLandmark Medical Center and the Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island. “We appreciate the efforts ofmany, including officials at Blue Cross, for working to temporarily resolve this matter.”

The negotiated agreement, effective Sept. 1 and  to Steward Healthcare, will allow Landmark to operate in a more financially sound manner while the acquisition process continues to unfold, according to the release. The agreement allows Landmark and the Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island to fully serve Blue Cross subscribers.

Three months after the sale, a new agreement will still have to be reached. Kimberly R. Reingold, director of Public Relations for Blue Cross, said a date for those negotiations has not been set yet, however, "We always try to start contract negotiations early so that we are set before the expectation date," Reingold said.   

Blue Cross’ application with the Department of Health to drop Landmark from their network has been put in abeyance.

“This is welcome news – for Landmark, for patients, for Blue Cross and for Northern Rhode Island,” said Charest. “While a short-term agreement, it’s a significant step toward the preservation of this hospital.”