Blue Cross of Idaho starts public education campaign to inform Northern Idaho members that Post Falls ER and Hospital remains out of network

• By Bret Rumbeck
• Phone: (986) 224-6921
• Email:[email protected]

~ Members in Post Falls and surrounding areas have 13 in-network options for healthcare services ~

MERIDIAN, Idaho, July 21, 2026 - Blue Cross of Idaho is launching a public education campaign to inform its members that Post Falls ER and Hospital is out-of-network and urging members in North Idaho and the surrounding areas to seek in-network care. Idaho's largest health insurer has repeatedly attempted to reach an agreement with Post Falls ER and Hospital to become an in-network hospital since the facility opened in 2024. But Post Falls ER and Hospital has been unwilling to accept contract terms similar to other North Idaho hospitals.

Post Falls ER and Hospital is a freestanding for-profit hospital/emergency room that opened on August 26, 2024, and is the only hospital in Idaho that does not contract with Blue Cross of Idaho. It is owned and operated by Nutex Health, Inc., a publicly traded healthcare company based in Houston, Texas. Nutex's hospital division, which includes the Post Falls ER and Hospital, "generally operates as an out-of-network provider" without negotiated insurance rates.

Federal law protects individual patients from surprise bills for emergency care. However, reimbursement amounts sought by Post Falls ER and Hospital through the federal Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process, which Blue Cross of Idaho believes far exceed market-based rates, contribute to increased healthcare costs for Blue Cross of Idaho members, small businesses and families in North Idaho.

"Blue Cross of Idaho believes the reimbursement amounts continually sought by Nutex and Post Falls ER and Hospital through the federal IDR process contribute to increased healthcare costs," said Drew Hobby, Chief Strategy Officer for Blue Cross of Idaho. "Through this public education campaign, we will ensure our members are aware of their many in-network options for quality care."

The public education campaign will begin with several information sources including:

• Billboards in Kootenai County
• A dedicated website: bcidaho.com/post-falls-care-options
• Letters directly to BCI members and their employers informing them of their in-network options for care
• In a life-threatening emergency, members should always call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room, regardless of network status.

During the 2026 Idaho legislative session, Blue Cross of Idaho supported legislation to improve transparency and create predictable billing standards for emergency services provided by out-of-network freestanding emergency rooms. The legislation, S. 1319, would have addressed gaps in federal law, requiring application of in-network cost-sharing and establishing payment standards on in-network allowed amounts for comparable emergency services.

For example, in one claim Post Falls ER and Hospital billed Blue Cross of Idaho approximately $8,588 for treatment associated with a knee sprain, more than 16 times what Medicare pays for the same care. In another case, the facility billed approximately $5,449 for treatment associated with dizziness and giddiness, nearly 13 times the Medicare reimbursement rate.

On average, Post Falls ER and Hospital typically submits 300 to 400 of these excessive claims for reimbursement to Blue Cross of Idaho each month.

"Blue Cross of Idaho has negotiated in good faith at each step, offering Post Falls ER and Hospital rates comparable with those negotiated with other hospitals in the region," said Hobby. "Unfortunately, they continue to reject these fair offers. Additionally, Post Falls ER and Hospital continues to send claims to arbitration through the IDR process. Our members should not be used to fund a for-profit business model that over-utilizes the federal process, and we encourage them to seek in-network care."

Blue Cross of Idaho members are encouraged to seek care at the following hospitals and urgent care centers, where in-network pricing is available through our contracted provider partners:

• Kootenai Health - 2003 Kootenai Health Way, Coeur d'Alene
• Bonner General Hospital - 520 N. 3rd Avenue, Sandpoint
• Boundary Community Hospital - 6640 Kaniksu Street, Bonners Ferry
• Clearwater Valley Hospital - 301 Cedar Street, Orofino
• Community Health Associates of Spokane (CHAS) Urgent Care-Valley - 1502 N. Vercler Road, Ste. 100, Spokane Valley, WA
• Community Health Associates Spokane (CHAS) Urgent Care-North - 5901 N. Lidgerwood St, Suite 126, Spokane, WA
• Kootenai Urgent Care - 1300 East Mullan Avenue, #600, Post Falls
• Northwest Specialty Hospital - 1593 East Polston Avenue, Post Falls
• Northwest Urgent Care - 750 North Syringa Street, Suite 100, Post Falls
• Kootenai Urgent Care - 700 W. Ironwood Drive, #120e, Coeur d'Alene
• Indigo Urgent Care - 2836 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d'Alene
• Indigo Urgent Care - 151 W. Prairie Ave, Hayden
• Lakeland Immediate Care - 15622 ID-41, Rathdrum

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About Blue Cross of Idaho
Blue Cross of Idaho is an Idaho-based insurance company dedicated to improving the health of the communities we serve. We are the state's oldest and largest health insurer, and the only Idaho-based insurer serving the entire state. Blue Cross of Idaho offers a broad portfolio of health plans for employers of all sizes, as well as individual and Medicare plans. Our plans offer innovative solutions to meet the unique needs of Idahoans and Idaho-based employers.