A major change in health insurance coverage is now affecting patients across Arkansas after CHI St. Vincent and CommonSpirit Health left several Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield provider networks effective September 1, 2026.
The change affects 4 CHI St. Vincent hospitals: CHI St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock, CHI St. Vincent North in Sherwood, CHI St. Vincent Morrilton and CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs. It also affects 80 medical clinics, more than 300 employed healthcare providers and additional affiliated providers. Medi-Pak members are not affected.
Affected plans include Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, 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.
Claims with dates of service through August 31, 2026, will continue to be reimbursed at in-network rates. Services provided beginning September 1 at affected CHI St. Vincent facilities or by affected providers will generally be processed at out-of-network benefit levels, depending on the member’s health plan.
That could mean significantly higher out-of-pocket expenses for some patients. Arkansas Blue Cross says some plans do not provide coverage for out-of-network claims, and patients could also face balance billing in some situations.
There are some exceptions. Prescriptions written by CHI St. Vincent-employed providers will not be affected when they are filled at an in-network pharmacy. Certain patients receiving ongoing treatment may also qualify for temporary continuity-of-care coverage for up to 90 days or until the qualifying condition is resolved. Pregnancy-related coverage may extend through pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after delivery.
The split follows months of negotiations over reimbursement rates.
Arkansas Blue Cross says it offered several proposals during negotiations and was disappointed that CHI St. Vincent and CommonSpirit Health decided to leave its networks. CHI St. Vincent says it spent more than 1 year seeking what it considers a sustainable agreement and argues reimbursement rates offered by Blue Cross did not reflect the actual cost of providing care.
CHI St. Vincent says it remains willing to reach an agreement that would restore in-network access. Arkansas Blue Cross has also said CHI St. Vincent has an open invitation to rejoin its networks if an agreement can be reached.
Members who are unsure whether their doctor, hospital or upcoming procedure is affected should check their health plan or contact the customer service number on the back of their insurance card before receiving non-emergency care.
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