CHI St. Vincent is out-of-network with BCBS of Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Sept. 1, 2026 - Despite more than a year of consistent efforts by CHI St. Vincent to reach a sustainable contract renewal, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas has been unwilling to agree to a fair contract that recognizes the vital role our hospitals, facilities and providers play in this community. As a result, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas no longer considers CHI St. Vincent as part of its network.

CHI St. Vincent sought a fair reimbursement agreement that would allow the health system to continue investing in the equipment, technology and staffing required for quality care. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas' refusal to offer rates that reflect the actual cost of providing care has led to this disruption.

"Since 1888, our mission has been to provide essential, life-saving care to all Arkansans, and we are disappointed that we have not been able to reach an equitable agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas," said Dr. William G. Jones, CHI St. Vincent market president. "We have worked tirelessly to avoid this outcome, and believe that affordability and sustainability can coexist; however, we cannot continue to subsidize inadequate, unfair reimbursement rates at the expense of our clinical operations and the patients we serve. Fair reimbursement is not separate from our mission; it enables our mission."

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas is limiting access to critical services its members rely on, unique to CHI St. Vincent, including:

• CHI St. Vincent's Advanced Neuroscience program is home to world-renowned neurosurgeons treating patients with complex brain tumors and serious neurological conditions.

• The largest provider of heart surgery in Arkansas, recognized by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for outstanding outcomes and named a Top 50 U.S. Hospital for Cardiovascular Care by Modern Healthcare in 2026.

• The only Labor and Delivery hospital in Southwest Arkansas.

• The only Pancreatic Disease Center of Excellence within 400 miles.

• A critical rural primary care lifeline - CHI St. Vincent's broad primary care network reaches deep into Arkansas's rural communities, where patients and families have no other options.

CHI St. Vincent remains committed to reaching an agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas.

"We have not walked away from the table. We are doing everything we can to restore in-network access for the thousands of patients who rely on us for their care," Dr. Jones said. "We urge Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas to consider the needs of their members and accept our proposal, which reflects the true cost of care and prioritizes the health of our community."

For more information, patients should visit commonspirit.org/stvincent-alerts or call , Monday-Friday 10am-10pm and Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm.