Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Threatens Contract Termination of the Northside Hospital System

 

Submitted by Aimee Brown

 

Anthem BCBS is threatening to terminate their agreements with the Northside Hospital System effective December 31, 2021 if they cannot reach a mutual agreement.  Staff have reported receiving calls from representatives with Northside urging members to contact Anthem BCBS.  More information can be found here.

What is happening right now with Northside Hospital and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield?

Anthem’s decision to issue its notice of termination to the Northside Hospital System impacts all five Northside hospitals -- Atlanta, Cherokee, Duluth, Forsyth and Gwinnett -- and more than 1,000 affiliated network providers, as well as all surgery centers, imaging locations and urgent care centers.

While Anthem has expressed a desire to renegotiate the agreements with Northside, Anthem’s notice states that the agreements for all Northside entities will terminate as of January 1, 2022 if a new agreement is not reached. This means that Anthem intends for all Northside hospitals, physicians and professional providers, surgery centers, imaging locations and urgent care centers to become out of network as of January 1, 2022 -- if the agreements are not renewed prior to that date.

What does this mean for you? 

Enrolled Anthem BCBS HRA members who seek treatment with an out-of-network provider will be subject to higher costs & balance billing depending on your insurance coverage.  Anthem BCBS HMO members who use an out-of-network provider will not receive coverage and will be responsible for the total billed amount. 

If you are enrolled or are considering enrolling in an Anthem BCBS plan, you should confirm that your provider is considered “in-network” before arranging service.