Blue Cross Blue Shield Drops Stokes County Hospital

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is dropping a Stokes County hospital from its network. 

The action takes effect August 21st. It comes amid a legal dispute between the insurance company and LifeBrite Community Hospital of Stokes in Danbury.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports Blue Cross is accusing LifeBrite of using a scheme to bill the insurance company for "fraudulent" lab services.

LifeBrite responded by saying Blue Cross is not taking into account the role the hospital plays in providing high-quality health care to residents of Stokes County and surrounding areas.

LifeBrite sued Blue Cross on April 13, saying the insurer violated their contract by withholding reimbursements totaling at least $15 million as of March.

The insurance company says other hospital services are available in Eden, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Elkin and Mount Airy.