Editor’s Note: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas confirmed an agreement was reached Monday, Jan. 30.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ascension Texas and Blue Cross Blue Shield Texas reached an agreement, which means the contract for services between a major hospital system and one of the state’s biggest insurance providers will not end on Jan. 31, according to a release from Ascension. BCBSTX confirmed an agreement Monday, Jan. 30, in a statement.

“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,” said Jim Springfield, BCBSTX president. “This new contract reflects our mutual commitment to quality, affordable health care.”

Ascension Texas said there would also be no interruption in access for BCBSTX members at Ascension facilities. 

The agreement covers hospital, hospital-based clinic services and ambulatory surgery centers, the release states.

“Blue Cross Blue Shield Texas (BCBSTX) members will continue to have in-network access to all Ascension providers, including Ascension Seton, Ascension Providence, hospital-based clinic services, Dell Children’s Medical Center, Ascension Medical Group practices and select joint-venture facilities,” Ascension Texas said.

Ascension Seton hospitals, surgery centers, doctors and professionals in the Hill Country and Central Texas areas will stay in the Blue Choice PPOSM, Blue EssentialsSM, Blue Advantage HMOSM and Medicare Advantage (PPO)SM networks, BSBSTX said Monday. They also remain in the Medicare Advantage (HMO)SM and Medicaid networks, which weren’t part of this negotiation.

The agreement was said to ensure the Central Texas community could continue to access quality care with Ascension.

“We want to thank our patients, providers, caregivers, employers and other leaders for their continued support and trust as we deliver personalized and compassionate care to Central Texas,” the release said.

Ascension’s announcement comes the same day nurses planned to gather in Austin for a vigil, highlighting complaints including understaffing. On Tuesday, Ascension and Central Health announced they were suing each other related to healthcare services in Travis County. Ascension Texas also confirmed layoffs in the state this week.