After a previous contract expired Dec. 1, 2020, Anthem and Bon Secours Southern Virginia Medical Center in Emporia, Va., reached an agreement for the insurer to be in-network effective July 1.
The deal brings Anthem in-network for SVMC, as well as Southside Medical Center in Petersburg, Va., and Southampton Medical Center in Franklin, Va..
The seven-month negotiation has been a turbulent one as the gap in a contract didn't allow city and municipal employees to seek in-network care at the local medical center. Emporia City council members even raised concerns over the lack of a deal at a February City Council meeting, according to the Emporia Independent-Messenger.
Emergency visits were still covered by Anthem during the seven-month delay, but widespread visits will once again be covered at in-network rates starting July 1.