Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney is urging state lawmakers to enact more regulations to prevent another contract dispute like the one currently playing out between the state's largest insurer and hospital, the Daily Journal reported Oct. 5.
Mr. Chaney told members of the state's House and Senate Insurance Committee Oct. 3 to consider legislation that would prevent network contracts between providers and insurers from being canceled outside of a 90-day window before an open enrollment period, according to the report.
Jackson-based University of Mississippi Medical Center has been out of network with Blue Cross Blue and Shield of Mississippi since April 1.The two sides, at odds over reimbursement rates, have yet to agree to a new contract, despite agreeing on a mediator May 9.
"Everything in life is about money, power and sex," Mr. Chaney said, according to the report. "This is about money."