Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center is attempting to negotiate sustainable pricing strategies with Anthem as a contract with the insurance carrier is about to expire.
Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center was informed by Anthem that the Anthem contract would expire on November 27, 2019. This contract with Anthem BlueCross BlueShield (Anthem) includes the care Anthem members receive through Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center and Memorial Hospital Physician Offices.
“Memorial Hospital has been working diligently for three years to reach a mutually agreed upon contract with Anthem so our patients can continue to have access to the highest quality, affordable care locally,” said the hospital in a press release. “While our focus remains on renewing this contract to preserve continued access to Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center’s high-quality, dedicated providers and staff, we have yet to reach a mutually agreed upon contract.”
According to the hospital, Anthem has paid Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center and its employed physicians significantly less than other providers in the region.
“Memorial Hospital proudly serves as one of the region’s lowest cost providers of care with the highest quality outcomes,” said E. Kyle Bennett, President and CEO of Memorial Hospital. “But Anthem’s low payments are just not sustainable. We are looking to be reimbursed at rates comparable with other providers in the region – nothing more, nothing less. We must fix our contract with fair, competitive rates from Anthem so we can secure our future and continue serving as our region’s trusted source for high-quality care.”
In order to make real progress toward a new agreement, Memorial Hospital is attempting to get Anthem to engage in meaningful discussions as well as recognize the impact inadequate reimbursement has on health care in Dubois and surrounding counties.
Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center says the impact on residents in the eight-county area it serves will include those residents in Anthem’s network having to drive longer distances for in-network care that is available to them locally now.
Memorial Hospital has set up a web page to provide answers to frequently asked questions and a contact phone number for specific questions. Patients and members can visit this site at www.mhhcc.org/myinsuranceplan or call (812) 996-6399.
Concerned Anthem members may also contact Anthem Member Services at the number on the back of their ID cards to express their opinion that Anthem should engage in meaningful discussions to keep Memorial Hospital in-network.
Between now and November 27, 2019, when Memorial Hospital’s current contract expires, nothing changes for members insured with Anthem. Until then, Anthem members will continue to be covered when seeing their physicians or seeking treatment at Memorial Hospital’s facilities.
Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center Emergency Department will always be open for everyone, regardless of its contract status. Individuals experiencing a medical emergency should seek treatment at the closest ED, said the organization.
As a regional health center with approximately 1,800 employees and approximately 250 physicians and advanced practice providers on the Medical Staff, Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center serves residents of eight counties in southwestern Indiana with medical offices located in Bristow, Dale, Ferdinand, French Lick, Holland, Huntingburg, Jasper, Loogootee, Montgomery, Petersburg, Santa Claus, Shoals, and Washington. Annually, the hospital’s staff provides medical care for approximately 6,600 inpatients, 250,000 outpatients, 29,000 emergency patients, and 950 newborns.
Date: September 10, 2019
Source: Dubois County Free Press