People with Blue Cross Blue Shield will no longer be able to use it at OSF Saint Joseph, OSF Saint James – John W. Albrecht Medical Center or at OSF Saint Francis medical centers by next year. According to our news partner at WMBD-TV, all OSF Hospitals in Illinois, with the exception of Saint Anthony’s Health center in Alton will no longer participate in the Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO network. This change only affects care provided at OSF Hospitals, doctor’s offices remain unaffected.

Randy Billings, Senior VP for Population Health said,” Our biggest payer has terminated OSF. And because we can’t provide that coordinated care across our continuum, it will be a pinch. I suspect Blue Cross will take certain steps that they feel necessary to drive their point home. OSF is here and always willing to discuss any opportunity.”

OSF says this action was initiated by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and goes into effect January 1st, 2018.

This story was submitted to us by WJBC’s Sean Copeland.