News

Providence Alaska Group Update

providence

Note - Additional information added on 12/12/23 and 12/11/23. This does not affect Providence Hospital. Providence Hospital remains in-network.

Information added 12/12/23:

Premera has announced today that they have reached an agreement with:

  • Providence Medical Group Alaska
  • Providence Behavioral Medicine Group
  • Providence Imaging Center

The newly signed agreement will provide no disruption to Premera patients. The new contract allows members across all Premera lines of business (commercial and individual) to retain in-network access to healthcare services in 2024. Premera and Providence Alaska Professional Groups entered negotiations with the goal of continuing to provide access to local high-quality care for those ensured by Premera, as well as fair reimbursement for services provided. The new contract represents collaboration between two organizations that aims to provide stability and access to care for patients throughout Alaska.

We appreciate the patience and understanding of our community members as we’ve worked through this. Premera remains committed to reaching a multi-year agreement that ensures there is no disruption for Providence Alaska Professional Groups patients and our members.

Information added 12/11/23:

We understand that employees are looking for additional information regarding the Premera/Providence negotiations. The best resource for information on this topic is this Premera article: five things to know about provider contract renewal discussions. 

What about the other Providence hospital locations?
Providence hospital locations within Alaska are currently in-network. This contract is not impacted by  negotiations at this time.

How do we know who is in the Medical Group vs. the hospital? Why is the hospital not affected by this announcement?
Providence Alaska has numerous independent contract groups with both annual and multi-year contracts. A few of the Providence Alaska contract groups include: Providence Hospital, Providence Home Health, Providence in Home Hospice, Provident Medical Group, Providence Medical Center, Providence Outpatient Wound Center, Alaska Women's Clinic at Providence, and more. 

The best place to find information about Providence Alaska and their provider groups is on Providence's webpage.

Employees are encouraged to use our Patient Advocacy Program, TouchCare, to locate in-network providers. Employees can also log into their Premera account at premera.com, or call Premera’s customer service number on the back of their Premera ID card and work directly with Premera on locating an in-network provider. Lastly, employees can also reach out directly to their provider(s) and confirm they are in-network.

Original Notice from 11/21/23 and 12/5/23. 

Premera Blue Cross received termination notices for three Providence Alaska groups: 

  • Providence Medical Group Alaska
  • Providence Behavioral Medicine Group
  • Providence Imaging Center

Premera is working in good faith to reach a new agreement that provides both quality care and fairly compensates the health system before the contract end date of December 31, 2023. Premera is committed to long-term, realistic, practical solutions that drive down costs and will continue to work with the Providence Alaska groups to meet these commitments.

Premera is obligated to send out notices to affected members 30 days before the termination date, even though they are continuing to work with the Providence Alaska groups on a new agreement. These notices will be sent out by the end of November. We will keep employees up to date as Premera continues to work toward a new agreement over the coming weeks.

Emailed via benefits newsletter on 11/21/23, 12/5/23, 12/12/23.
Contact Benefits:  (907) 450-8242  | ua-benefits@alaska.edu | schedule one-on-one time