Blue Cross, HCA Reach Partial Contract Accord

Blue Cross of California reached a partial agreement with hospital operator HCA Inc. in a contract dispute that has been disrupting care for patients in several California communities.

For weeks, the health-care giants had been at loggerheads over how much Blue Cross will reimburse HCA for services at its six California hospitals. Contracts expired Oct. 1, leaving tens of thousands of Blue Cross members without coverage for most services at the hospitals, except for emergencies.

Negotiators reached an agreement on a new contract for the three HCA hospitals in Southern California -- in Riverside, West Hills and Thousand Oaks. Terms weren’t disclosed.