At the center of the debate are reimbursement rates. Memorial Hospital claims that for years, Anthem has paid the hospital significantly less than other area providers.
“Memorial Hospital proudly serves as one of the region’s lowest cost providers of care with the highest quality outcomes,” Kyle Bennett, Memorial president and CEO, told The Herald in a prepared statement. “But Anthem’s low payments are just not sustainable. We are looking to be reimbursed at rates comparable with other providers in the region — nothing more, nothing less.”
Anthem disagreed with Memorial’s characterization of the negotiation talks. An Anthem representative told The Herald: “Talks with Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center are still in the early stages. We have made some progress, and both sides have committed to meet on a regular basis to continue negotiating. Yet, at this point, we do have concerns about the significant increases they are requesting.”
The organizations’ contract is set to expire Nov. 27.
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