Anthem and Hartford HealthCare have reached an agreement that puts Anthem members back in-network with the healthcare provider.
The three-year agreement offers patients with Anthem insurance in-network benefits to Hartford HealthCare offerings, according to statements from both companies.
In October, after months of negotiations between the insurance company and the healthcare provider they announced they had failed to come to an agreement, causing hundreds of thousands of Anthem policyholders to be treated as out-of-network patients.
However, the new contract is retroactive to October 1, meaning patients who received care in that time period will only be charged in-network prices for those services. The previous contract ended September 30, so this means there will be no break in coverage.
“We deeply understand and regret the inconvenience and disruption that being out of network has caused our patients and communities,” said Jeffrey Flaks, Hartford HealthCare’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “Everything we do is aimed at creating more access to exceptional services. I speak for all my colleagues at Hartford HealthCare in thanking our patients for their understanding during this difficult time.”
“Our members remained our number one priority as we worked hard and in good faith to find common ground and reach agreement. We are very pleased that they are immediately regaining in-network access to all of the hospitals and providers that are a part of the Hartford HealthCare system. We are happy that the end result is a fair agreement with sustainable increases and additional incentives that reward HHC hospitals for improvement in patient safety. We look forward to working closely with HHC to minimize any further disruption and ensure quality affordable healthcare for our members,” wrote Jill R. Hummel, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in a statement announcing the news.
Hartford HealthCare facilities include Backus Hopsital in Norwich, Hartford Hospital, Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain and Southington, MidState Medical Center in Meriden, and Windham Hospital.
