Right now, up to 300,000 Michigan patients are caught in the middle of a contract standoff between Blue Cross Blue Shield and Michigan Medicine — and the clock is ticking.

If the two sides don't reach a deal by July 1, 2026, Blue Cross patients referred to Michigan Medicine specialists could be denied care entirely. That includes people waiting for kidney transplants, cancer treatment, and care for complex conditions that few other health systems in the state are equipped to handle. In fact, at least one kidney transplant referral has already been denied — and thousands more could follow.

Michigan Medicine's Dr. Scott Flanders has warned that patients with multiple or complex conditions will be hit hardest, calling UM Health "uniquely capable" of providing the kind of specialized care these patients need. Meanwhile, Blue Cross has refused to clarify who qualifies for its "Continuity of Care" exemption — leaving patients and their doctors unable to plan.

At the heart of this dispute is money. Blue Cross claims Michigan Medicine is seeking a 44% reimbursement increase over five years. Michigan Medicine says Blue Cross is actually trying to impose a 30% cut. Whatever the truth, patients should not be the ones paying the price.

We're calling on Blue Cross Blue Shield and Michigan Medicine to resolve this contract dispute immediately — before one more specialist referral is denied, and before July 1 puts hundreds of thousands of patients at risk. Both sides must come to the table and put patients first.