Disruptions possible for Virginians with Medicaid thorough Anthem if resolution not reached by Oct 1
By: Sarah Vogelsong
A messy contract dispute between Bon Secours Mercy Health and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has left 11,000 Virginians who have Medicare plans through Anthem out of network for Bon Secours, which operates numerous hospitals in the Richmond and Hampton Roads regions.
If the disagreement isn’t resolved by Oct. 1, an additional 39,000 Virginians who get Medicaid coverage through Anthem could also find themselves out of network, potentially facing disruption to their ability to get health care. Thousands of low-income people with managed Medicaid plans through Anthem in Ohio already are unable to get their care covered at Bon Secours Mercy Health facilities in that state.
“An entire health system going out of network doesn’t just impact the hospital,” said Sara Cariano, deputy director of the Center for Healthy Communities with the Virginia Poverty Law Center. “We want folks to be able to access care when they need it, particularly the most vulnerable.”