Bon Secours, Anthem settle contract dispute

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - A contract dispute has been resolved between Bon Secours Mercy Health and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

“As a result, all Anthem Medicare Advantage and Medicaid health plan members will have continued in-network coverage at Bon Secours,” Bon Secours and Anthem said in a joint statement. “Anthem has agreed to cover any claims that patients may have incurred during the period of time that Bon Secours was out of network with Anthem Medicare Advantage since Aug. 1.”

The agreement extends coverage for Anthem employer-based and Affordable Care Act plans through 2028.

“This agreement provides long-term stable access to care at Bon Secours without cost increases for our members and employers,” said Anthem Virginia President Monica Schmude.

“This new agreement protects our patients’ access to compassionate care close to home,” said Don Kline, COO of Bon Secours Mercy Health.

Details of the agreement are not being released “due to confidentiality provisions.” Bon Secours is also dismissing a lawsuit against Anthem.

If you have any questions about your Anthem benefits and coverage, Bon Secours recommends contacting Anthem at the phone number on your insurance card.

If you have questions about what this contract resolution means for your ongoing care, visit the Bon Secours website or call 888-354-0205.

When the insurance company and hospital system couldn’t agree on Aug. 1, Anthem Medicare Advantage became out of network at Bon Secours.

Now, some are saying this move comes too little too late.

”I’ve moved on,” Donna Thompson, a former Anthem Medicare Advantage member, said.

Thompson said she switched when she called both parties and got the run around about why she was no longer in-network.

“They [Bon Secours] said that Anthem didn’t want to pay the doctors what they were worth or anybody with Bon Secours what they were worth,” Thompson said. “When you called Anthem, they were blaming it on Bon Secours.”

Thompson said she had appointments scheduled at the time rather than waiting to see what would happen.

“For people like me that see doctors regularly for this or that they really couldn’t have afforded to wait,” Thompson said. “This comes a little too late.“

This new agreement came in the final hours as those with Anthem Medicaid were expected to be out of network on Oct. 1.

Thompson said while this change does not impact her, she’s happy to know her friends in the Northern Neck will not need to worry about where they receive medical help.

“I spoke with one of my friends about an hour ago after you gave me the news and told her, and she was very happy about that,” Thompson said.

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