Johns Hopkins Medicine Termination Notice

Posted on 2022-09-08 | Updated on 2023-01-12 15:46:01

As a not-for-profit healthcare company, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) recognizes that rising costs are a significant concern for everyone, especially for the people and communities we serve. CareFirst works with all network providers to review arrangements and set compensation that is fair, reasonable and in the interest of our members and employers.

CareFirst and Johns Hopkins Medicine (Johns Hopkins) have been negotiating new contract terms for the physician rates that will apply to CareFirst members (primary care and specialty services) and surgery centers. On September 6, 2022, Johns Hopkins issued a notice to CareFirst terminating our existing network contract.

CareFirst members should be reassured this will not immediately impact anyone’s access to healthcare services offered through Johns Hopkins. Members with scheduled physician visits or procedures through December 4, 2022, do not need to make alternative care arrangements. CareFirst’s first priority is connecting people to care; therefore, we will support our members if there is a need to identify new physicians to ensure CareFirst members have access to the care they require, regardless of the outcome of this negotiation.

We regret Johns Hopkins' decision to terminate our existing contracts and do not agree it was necessary to put the people we collectively serve in the middle of an ongoing negotiation.

As we continue to discuss how best to improve access, affordability, quality, and equity in healthcare together, our shared commitment to community and long-standing history of collaboration gives us hope that our partnership will continue.

We recognize that these decisions impact our members’ healthcare experience and that you may have immediate questions or a desire to seek alternative care arrangements. The CareFirst member support team is here to help. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your dedicated team by using the following methods of communication:

Call the dedicated call center for any questions about Johns Hopkins coverage or support at 833-378-2110. The call center will be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Call the number on the back of your member ID card. A virtual member ID card can be accessed via your My Account portal.

Finding a New Provider

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Our provider directory on the site is a great resource to support finding a new provider. Members are encouraged to visit carefirst.com/doctor to find out if their doctor is still a participating doctor at another medical practice.

Members can search for a medical, dental or specialist provider by last name or type of provider and within a specified distance. Through this search tool, members can also search for healthcare facilities, including hospitals, urgent care and labs. Or they may call the number on the back of their CareFirst member ID card.

Federal employee program (FEP) members are encouraged to visit fepblue.org/find-a-doctor to find out if their doctor is still participating at another medical practice.

Our care management team can also support those receiving ongoing care for ease of transitioning to a new provider.

If a provider who treated the member and/or a covered family member during the past year no longer participates in the CareFirst network, they will be notified.

Depending on their coverage, they may be able to see an out-of-network provider at an in-network rate. If they find themselves in this situation, they should call the Member Services number on the back of their member ID card to determine if the provider will be covered at the in-network or out-of-network cost.

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Medical Services & Ongoing Care

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Members should complete their screening with Johns Hopkins by December 5, 2022, to ensure they will be eligible for their Blue Rewards earnings. If a member has previously selected a primary care physician (PCP), completed their screening and already received their Blue Reward earnings, they have completed the process and do not need to redo anything.

If a new agreement is not reached, yes. All CareFirst members receiving care at Johns Hopkins practice locations are impacted when the contract terminates on December 5, 2022. Members may still use these practices and programs after these dates but should call the Member Services number on the back of their member ID card to find out if the services will be covered and if so, whether they will be covered at the in-network or out-of-network benefit level.

The termination notice provided to CareFirst from Johns Hopkins excludes CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Community Health Plan District of Columbia (CHPDC). Johns Hopkins facilities in the District will continue to provide services to CHPDC Enrollees, including Sibley Hospital and Johns Hopkins PCP providers. If a CHPDC Enrollee is denied care at Sibley Hospital, please contact CHPDC Enrollee Services.

Nothing. Members should request that their current provider transfer their files to their new provider, if they choose a new provider.

Yes, CareFirst members can still receive care from a Johns Hopkins doctor as in-network providers up until December 5, 2022. If a new agreement is not reached, members who continue to receive services from doctors at Johns Hopkins after December 5, 2022 could encounter:

  • Services may not be covered at the in-network benefit level.
  • Out-of-pocket costs may increase significantly.
  • Responsibility for filing claims. Please note, some doctors may request payment before services are provided.

This depends on their coverage, so members should call the Member Services number on the back of their CareFirst member ID card.

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General Questions

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If a new agreement is not reached, the termination for the physician group will be effective on December 5, 2022, resulting from a 90-day notice requirement. Because hospital contracts have a longer notice requirement, those terminations would be effective on March 5, 2023.

Members with scheduled physician visits or procedures through December 4, 2022, do not need to make any alternative care arrangements.

Most of our plans have out of network benefits that apply. Members would be entitled to go to Hopkins and get those benefits.

If a new agreement is not reached, the termination notice Johns Hopkins sent to CareFirst September 6, 2022 will terminate all Maryland Hospitals and physician practice contracts for physicians based in DC, Maryland and Virginia.

If a new agreement is not reached, the termination for the physician group will be effective on December 5, 2022, resulting from a 90-day notice requirement. Because hospital contracts have a longer notice requirement, those terminations would be effective on March 5, 2023.

It is important to note that Johns Hopkins has not terminated its contract with CareFirst Community Health Plan DC; therefore, members in this plan can still access Johns Hopkins services in District of Columbia locations.

We have set up a dedicated call center open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for any questions about Johns Hopkins coverage or support. The number to call the call center is: 833-378-2110.

If you would like support specific to your account, please call the number on the back of your member ID card. If you don’t know where your card is, a virtual member ID card can be accessed via your My Account portal.

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