Tennessee Blues plan, Memphis hospital system fail to reach accord

Tens of thousands of people in the Memphis area will be unable to access health care with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare hospitals and providers without a hefty out-of-pocket payment after contract negotiations failed between the health care system and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, the Commercial Appeal reports. After protracted negotiations, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and Blue Cross failed to agree to terms before the expiration of their contract Dec. 31.