WellStar Health System, Blue Cross Blue Shield Join Forces

Al Such / WABE

An audio version of this story.

The biggest insurer and the biggest hospital system in Georgia are joining forces.

WellStar Health System and Blue Cross Blue Shield have agreed to take part in a federal insurance exchange product.



“Continuity of physician and hospital is important to consumers and you know, you feel comfortable with somebody you trust. And if a WellStar patient very much likes their doctor, they can keep them if they stay in the Blue Cross network,” said Andy Miller, with Georgia Health News. 

The deal goes into effect on Jan. 1, but Miller says things could change once President-elect Donald Trump gets into the White House.

“Everybody, kind of in the health care system is waiting for Washington to act and see what comes out. But we may not have a health insurance exchange in 2018,” said Miller. “We’ll have to see.”

WellStar has 11 hospitals in Georgia and Blue Cross Blue Shield is the only insurer in Georgia that offers coverage statewide.  

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