Major Nebraska health insurer says medical group's latest contract offer still too costly

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska is rejecting the latest contract offer from one of the state's biggest medical networks because the insurer says the offer still costs too much.

CHI Health officials offered a new agreement to Blue Cross earlier this week that would have cut rates by $10 million. But Blue Cross officials say CHI Health's rates have been roughly $60 million higher.

CHI Health CEO Dr. Cliff Robertson said Thursday he's disappointed because he believed this latest offer could have resolved the dispute.

Numerous facilities and doctors affiliated with CHI Health have been out of the Blue Cross network since Sept. 1, so they are significantly more expensive for the insurer's customers.

In several rural communities, CHI Health operates the only hospital in town.