SRMC, Insurance Companies Negotiate Behind Closed Doors
A big meeting wrapped up Friday afternoon between Shasta Regional Medical Center and area insurance brokers. SRMC's new owner, Prime Healthcare cancelled the hospital's private insurance contracts when it took over. In Friday's meeting, they began the process of negotiating new ones. So far, everyone was tight-lipped about what happened in the meeting. We do know Prime has a history of battling private insurance companies, and that fight apparently continues. Taking center stage right now is coverage for patients holding Anthem Blue Cross or Blue Shield policies. These 2 carriers have thousands of clients in the area. Prime has a reputation for always re-negotiating contracts with private insurance companies. They contend those renegotiations save the patients money. Blue Cross says that they think costs will go up. Right now, stuck in the middle are the patients. If you are covered by Blue Cross or Blue Shield, SRMC tells us they will still see you and bill you as if the contract was still intact. So you should not see any change. Once the contracts are renegotiated, it could be a different story. Your coverage likely will change. Bottom line: this story is far from over. We are certainly going to continue to plow through the bureaucracy, and bring you the latest as we get it in.
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Local Headlines
Salvation Army Ringers Ringing
Those bells being rung by Salvation Army volunteers may be louder than ever this year. With more mouths to feed and more people to help, they are trying to get much more than the $26,000 they raised last year. Trying to get everyone involved in the action, City of Redding and Shasta County employees are taking part in their third annual earning competition. For the first two years of the challenge, the City has come out on top.
Child Support Sweep Nets Two Arrests
Two Shasta County men accused of not paying child support are behind bars. Michael Orosco and Bryan Yandell owe more than $30,000 in back child support collectively. The men were arrested Thursday during a sweep by the Department of Child Support Services and the Shasta County Marshal's office.
School Celebrates Thanksgiving in Interesting Way
Maywood Middle School students in Corning had 16 years of tradition and one free turkey on their mind as they stepped up to the free-throw line on Friday. It was the annual Turkey Shoot. Students got one shot. Sink it and they are in a raffle for a free turkey. Miss it, and watch someone else walk away with the bird. Principal Jeff Harris says it is the perfect tradition for the Thanksgiving season. Each grade gave away a free turkey to one boy and one girl. The school also holds an annual Turkey Trot one mile race. For their hard work, trot winners walk away with pumpkin pie.
