Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A dispute between WellNow Urgent Care and a Rochester-area insurance provider is leading to a potential problem for the provider's members as a dispute over fees extends into the new year.
Brian Janak of Financial Guys Insurance says there are two dynamics colliding.
"The carriers are trying to negotiate lower pricing, because by having lower pricing, lower pricing means lower claims, which means lower premiums. The providers obviously have the cost of goods and everything that are paying going up and up. And they're looking for the insurance companies to pay more for the services because it's costing them more money," explains Janak.
In this case, WellNow says it can't provide services for what Excellus wants it to pay, so it's leaving the network.
Janak says Excellus is big in the Rochester area, also serving parts of Syracuse and Utica.
"What (the dispute) means is you have five urgent care centers in Rochester, four in Syracuse, three in the Utica-Watertown area. These people that have urgent care needs cannot go to those WellNow Urgent Care centers starting January 1, they need to go to one of the other centers that is in network with Excellus," notes Janak.
He adds there are several other urgent care centers Excellus members can visit instead, such as Rochester Regional Hospital and University of Rochester.
Janak says depending on tests, urgent care visits can range from $250 to $500. There are 24 WellNow Urgent Care centers in Western New York.