Anthem mistakenly tells patients Virginia provider is out of network: 'It can create a panic,' physician says

A coding issue led Anthem to mistakenly notify patients in Virginia that their physician was out of network, according to ABC affiliate WHSV.

Optometrist Mary Lee Pemberton, OD, said some of her patients received letters from Anthem saying her practice, Pemberton Eye in Waynesboro, was out of their provider network. Dr. Pemberton said the letter may cause patients to leave her practice.

"It can create a panic," Dr. Pemberton told WHSV. "And we just want to make sure that patients are aware that this happened in error and that it's not going to affect their current coverage."

Anthem told Dr. Pemberton it will send out letters to patients to notify them of the error. The insurer told WHSV in an email statement that it "sincerely apologizes to our customers and care providers for this error," and is working to ensure the issue doesn't reoccur. 

Read the full article here.

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