After stalled negotiations surrounding the cost of Ascension care for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas insurance holders threatened to end care for some last month, the two entities reached an agreement on Jan. 30 according to a BCBS press release, ensuring future medical care.

“As a customer-owned health insurance industry leader in Texas for more than 90 years, we must protect BCBSTX members’ access to care at fair rates,” BCBSTX president Jim Springfield said in the press release. “This new contract reflects our mutual commitment to quality, affordable health care.”

If a new contract was not signed, certain policyholders, including students and faculty who are insured through the University, would have lost access to Ascension medical facilities at the end of January and would lose access to Ascension medical professionals. 

“We are pleased that BCBSTX members — our patients — will have continued access to the world class care and high quality, advanced services only available through Ascension Texas,” according to a statement from Ascension.