Ascension Texas, Blues plan reach agreement before deadline

The Ascension Texas hospital system says it has reached an agreement with insurance company Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Texas, just days before their contract was set to expire Feb. 1, reports the Austin American-Stateman. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Texas says it is finalizing the details, but an agreement is close. Last year, about 66,000 people who have health insurance from the Blues plan used Ascension Texas hospitals, according to the insurance company.