WellPoint, Catholic Healthcare Settle Dispute

WellPoint Health Networks Inc.’s Blue Cross of California unit and hospital operator Catholic Healthcare West settled a contract dispute over rate increases by signing a multiyear contract, Catholic Healthcare said. The two sides agreed on the contract after Catholic Healthcare West ran advertisements in major California papers saying Blue Cross’ 4.4 million members could no longer be served at 30 hospitals it operates in California following expiration of their contract Tuesday. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. WellPoint had said Catholic Healthcare West sought rate increases that were higher than ones agreed to with other hospital operators such as Sutter Health. Shares of Woodland Hills-based WellPoint were unchanged at $69.63 on the NYSE.