NKC Health & Blue KC negotiation

NKC Health is committed to protecting your access to high-quality care close to home. As one of the few locally governed, not-for-profit health systems serving the Kansas City region, our focus has always been on what is best for our patients, families and community. We know negotiations between healthcare providers and insurance companies can create uncertainty. NKC Health remains committed to negotiating in good faith to protect your access to care, and we are committed to keeping you informed.

If NKC Health and Blue KC do not reach an agreement before June 1, 2026, NKC Health’s providers, clinics and hospital will be forced out-of-network for Blue KC patients. This means our patients may face higher out-of-pocket costs or be forced to find a new doctor. This is not an outcome we want. 

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.

You can continue to see your NKC Health doctors and use our hospital, health centers 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. 
 

Keep your care

To maintain access to NKC Health, here is what you can do:

• 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.
• Ask Blue KC about your eligibility for continuity of care, which may allow you to continue seeing your NKC Health providers for a period of time.