Update on PersonalCare Decision to Terminate Relationship with Christie Clinic

9/29/2011

9-29-11

On July 1, 2011 Christie Clinic received notice that PersonalCare was unilaterally terminating its contract with Christie Clinic. In the many years that we have had a contract with PersonalCare, renegotiations have been handled by amending this perpetual agreement. It has no requirement to terminate the existing agreement in order to renegotiate specific terms. In the wake of PersonalCare’s continued silence and the pending open enrollment periods, Christie Clinic felt an obligation to the State, private employers and, most importantly, our patients to notify them of PersonalCare’s actions. 

Because of the business practices of PersonalCare and serious differences over the past decade, Christie will not renegotiate or reenter a contract with PersonalCare that includes any Open Access, HMO or PPO Products.  We are committed to working with business partners dedicated to serving East Central Illinois.

9-28-11

PersonalCare has chosen to terminate its contract with Christie Clinic effective January 1, 2012. It is important to note that PersonalCare is just one of many insurance providers Christie Clinic contracts with to provide care to our patients. Because the Christie Clinic team is committed to providing the highest quality health care to the communities we serve, we are working closely with our patients, the state of Illinois and private employers to make this transition as seamless as possible for Christie Clinic patients.

State Employees
•         State employees in Champaign County may choose to have uninterrupted access to Christie Clinic physicians and services through all Health Alliance HMO and HealthLink OAP plans.  Through these plans, state employees have complete access to Christie Clinic physicians along with access to Provena Covenant Medical Center or Carle Foundation Hospital.

Private Employers and Non-state Employees
•         As of January 1, 2012, this change will also affect insured employees of private companies who have contracted with PersonalCare. We will be working directly with employers and their brokers who currently contract with PersonalCare about their options. Christie Clinic is a provider with Health Alliance Medical Plans, Healthlink,  BCBS of IL, Aetna, Cigna, and many others.  If you have questions regarding Christie Clinic’s contracted carriers, please call Christie Clinic’s Customer Service at (217) 366-1382.