CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority says it’s cancelling its contract with Highmark BlueCross/BlueShield after failing to reach a new agreement focused on raising reimbursement rates.

KCEAA said the current contract will expire Jan. 1, 2026 and at that time those covered by Highmark BCBS will be considered uninsured including those with Medicare Advantage plans.

“We don’t want to be in this situation but they, BlueCross/BlueShield, has the responsibility to pay their fair share of the cost of delivering EMS service to their members and they don’t want to do that,” KCEAA spokesman Tom Susman told MetroNews Thursday.

Highmark Corporate Communications Director Cathy McAlister defended the company’s reimbursement rates.

“Highmark follows CMS standards for p

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