NKC Health & Blue KC negotiation
For nearly 70 years, NKC Health, the new name used by North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health Corporation, has been dedicated to caring for the people of North Kansas City and the surrounding region. As a not-for-profit health system, our story has always been about people: our families, our neighbors and our community.
As a local community health system, we are committed to providing the highest quality care close to home. Every day, our 4,700 team members come together through our hospital, medical group and more than 35 clinics to deliver connected, compassionate care that goes beyond medicine. Our commitment to high-quality, patient-centered care has earned us membership in the Mayo Clinic Care Network. As a member, our providers can tap into the latest research, diagnostic tools and treatment guidance when it matters most for our patients.
Patients deserve access to timely, high-quality care without unnecessary delays or denials. That starts with fair agreements between NKC Health and our payor partners. Between 2022 and 2024 alone, inflation increased by 14.1%, significantly raising the cost of providing care, while our reimbursement from Blue KC has stayed the same since 2021. Rising administrative burdens, prior authorization requirements and denials make it harder for patients to get the care they need and for our teams to focus on what matters most, delivering excellent care.
What is happening?
We are negotiating with Blue KC to protect your access to high-quality care. We want to make sure you can continue receiving the care you need, when you need it, without unnecessary delays or obstacles. We are working to secure fair, sustainable reimbursement and updated contract terms that ensure our doctors, nurses and care teams can continue caring for you and your family.
Right now, nothing has changed. You can continue to see your NKC Health doctors and use our hospital and clinics as usual. If we do not reach an agreement with Blue KC, we could be considered an out-of-network provider starting June 1, 2026. We will continue to keep you informed with updates on the progress of these negotiations as they move forward.
Keep your care
To maintain access, call Blue KC at the number on the back of your insurance card and tell them how important it is to keep NKC Health in-network.