TakeCare, CHCC repair rift

TakeCare Insurance has now included the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. on its list of participating providers. This will allow those with TakeCare health insurance access to CHCC for their medical needs. At the same time, all CHCC historical claims have been paid.

In a statement yesterday, TakeCare president Jeff Larsen said the insurance company now has “clarity on the network status of CHCC and [TakeCare members] can continue to see their doctors.”

“Throughout this process, TakeCare stressed the importance of payers and providers working together to improve the delivery and financing of healthcare in the CNMI. CHCC is an essential partner in this work, specifically our commitment to health and access to quality care in the region,” Larsen added.

According to CHCC CEO Esther Muña, this new arrangement allows CHCC to sustainably continue providing the best possible care for TakeCare members in the CNMI.

When patients go to a clinic or hospital that is considered a network provider, members can be assured that their insurance plan can pay for the service benefits provided by a network provider.

In the case of CHCC, TakeCare members can now go back to availing of the services of the Commonwealth Health Center and the hospital will then bill TakeCare, instead of the patient, for the services rendered.

“It is a demonstration of our shared commitment to ensuring the highest quality of care is accessible and affordable to TakeCare members,” Muña said.

Last month, CHCC stopped accepting TakeCare insurance due to several years’ worth of hospital claims that had to be reconciled. On TakeCare’s side, it declared that CHCC is not a participating provider in TakeCare’s provider network.

With the latest development, Take Care member Mark (surname withheld) said, “This news gives me peace of mind in that, if ever we are in an accident or an emergency happens, we could go and access CHCC as an in-network provider. When news broke out that TakeCare doesn’t have that kind of relationship with CHCC, there was some panic in our household because aside from me, my wife is also using TakeCare as an insurer.”

“It’s good that they were able to reconcile the billings and TakeCare and CHCC were able to come to an agreement. Insurance is a big issue not only on island but also in the states. This is good news for everybody and hopefully this benefits both CHCC and TakeCare,” he added.

Another TakeCare member, Donna Rivera, said it is great news that CHCC will start accommodating TakeCare subscribers.

“This makes the patient’s life easier. Knowing that not all clinics are available at night, we have only CHCC to go to for urgent emergency medical care. When people are sick, every minute matters. The sooner they get medical attention, the healthier our community will be,” she said.

Both CHCC and TakeCare have agreed to work on a contract that will solidify the relationship between the two parties.