Multicare Health and Premera Blue Cross Update

MultiCare Health System and Premera BlueCross have been negotiating a new contract without success. MultiCare previously said the two parties remain misaligned on financial terms. Therefore, MultiCare had planned to leave the BCBS Benefit Plan Preferred network on June 1, 2026. Mr. Wade Hunt and Dr. Romilla Batra expressed concerns of both sides on The Spokesman-Review’s Opinion Page of May 17, 2026. Presently, Multicare says both parties have agreed to extend the contract expiration date to June 30, 2026 to ensure patients continue in-network care. Premera also provides this important update. The Spokesman-Review reported this story on June 1, 2026.