St. Charles Health System signs insurance deal with PacificSource

Agreement Reached Between St. Charles Health System and PacificSource

BEND, Ore. — St. Charles Health System revealed on Thursday that they have finalized a deal with PacificSource, ensuring that thousands of patients enrolled in both commercial and Medicare Advantage plans can stay within the St. Charles network of hospitals and clinics.

Earlier in September, PacificSource alerted local clients that there was a possibility their network with St. Charles could end on January 1, but negotiations were still ongoing. Shortly thereafter, Providence Health Plan, another Medicare Advantage option in the area, announced its departure from the Deschutes County market starting January 1, leaving PacificSource as the sole remaining choice.

“We’re thankful to have come to an agreement with PacificSource that allows many local residents to keep in-network coverage, and we hope this news is welcomed,” commented St. Charles Chief Financial Officer Matt Swafford. “It’s great that PacificSource was willing to work with us toward a mutual solution.”

The agreement covers one year for the Medicare Advantage contract and two years for the commercial contract, as stated in a news release from the health system.

“We understand how stressful uncertainty about insurance coverage can be for patients, especially with the trend of diminishing Medicare Advantage options both locally and nationally,” Swafford acknowledged. “These negotiations are vital to making sure St. Charles can continue providing healthcare services to the communities we serve.”

St. Charles is actively collaborating with insurance providers on coverage decisions for local residents and has recently secured agreements with Providence Health Plans for commercial insurance, as well as with Aetna and Cigna.

PacificSource shared their perspective on the agreement, stating, “We’re happy to have reached an agreement with St. Charles Health System to ensure our members continue to have access to reliable care. Throughout this process, our aim was to provide clarity and continuity for the communities in Central Oregon we serve. We appreciate the collaboration that led to this outcome and remain dedicated to keeping care affordable and accessible for our members.”