MDH WILL CONTINUE CIGNA AGREEMENT

McDonough District Hospital will continue with the Quality Care Health Plan administered by CIGNA for State of Illinois employees, according to an announcement by President/CEO Stephen R. Hopper.

The agreement was under annual review prior to its June 30 ending date. The decision extends the hospital’s participation under the current terms of the state employee CIGNA agreement through June 30, 2011.

The hospital currently has $1.6 million in unpaid claims over 60 days from CIGNA, a total that has been constant since November, 2009.

“We heard from patients, physicians, other health care providers and state officials in recent weeks as we considered the options regarding the CIGNA agreement,” Hopper said. “Continuing the CIGNA contract is in the best interest of the members of our community patients who rely upon McDonough District Hospital.”

Hopper noted that although MDH has decided it can weather the financial shortfall from the State of Illinois at this time, individual physicians experiencing long standing delayed claims payments from CIGNA may no longer be able to do so. The hospital firmly supports each physician practice as they independently choose to renew or terminate their agreements. We have heard from several patients that they would be willing to pay the differential if their physician chooses to be out-of-network if the hospital stays with CIGNA, according to Hopper.

“Sadly we are all victims of the state’s inability to resolve its budget shortfalls and growing debt burden which delays payments to health care providers, educational institutions, social services and other state funded programs,” Hopper said. “While we may be perceived as letting Springfield off the hook by accepting continued delays in payments, we did not want to burden patients with additional costs associated with out of network services. We believe that our Governor and the legislative leaders need to develop and implement a solid plan that will move the State of Illinois out of this serious financial situation.”