Adventist Health And Anthem Extend Contract By Two Weeks
Sonora, CA — Many in the Mother Lode have received letters in the mail over recent weeks about Anthem Blue Cross insurance potentially no longer being accepted at Adventist Health Sonora, effective today, July 18.
The two sides are in the midst of negotiations related to reimbursements.
Clarke Broadcasting reached out to Adventist Health Sonora for an update, and spokesperson, Jacquelyn Lugg, has supplied a statement reading, “We are pleased to report that Adventist Health and Anthem Blue Cross of California have mutually agreed to a two-week extension of our contract. This extension will give us time to reach a potential agreement, and we are optimistic that we will make progress to negotiate a higher reimbursement rate – allowing us to keep care local for our Anthem patients in the communities we serve.”
The new tentative termination date, if an agreement is not reached, is August 1st.
Adventist Health’s statement continues by arguing, “Anthem Blue Cross has continued for the past two years to enjoy record profits, even in this highly inflationary environment. While Anthem raised members’ premiums annually, they continue to pay Adventist Health substantially less than other hospital systems. Anthem is one of our lowest paying health plans, and we can’t continue to provide quality care for patients at significantly reduced rates.”
Meanwhile, Anthem has put out a statement, reading, “Anthem Blue Cross has agreed to an extension with Adventist Health so we may continue negotiating in good faith in an attempt to retain the health system in our care provider network. We believe our care providers should be reimbursed fairly, and that will continue to be reflected in our offers during these negotiations. These offers included reasonable increases that are in line with what other provider partners receive for the same services, which will help keep healthcare affordable for those we serve. Our hope is to reach an agreement with Adventist.”
We’ll pass along more information as it becomes available related to the ongoing talks between the two sides.
