Gainesville-based Northeast Georgia Health System notified 40,000 patients that negotiations with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield have stalled and their coverage could be disrupted if a new agreement is not reached, according to the Albany Herald.
NGHS claims Anthem is seeking "drastic cuts" for medical service payments ahead of a Sept. 30 deadline to renew an agreement between the payer and provider. NGHS also argued that Anthem officials in its headquarters of Indianapolis are forging ahead with decisions without input from leaders in Georgia.
In a statement to the Albany Herald, an Anthem spokesperson said the health plan is committed to ensuring affordability and access for its members.
"Northeast Georgia Health System is currently in our provider network, so it is important to note there is no immediate change to healthcare coverage for any of our consumers. Our local negotiating team has been engaged with Northeast Georgia for several months as we work toward a new agreement that would retain Northeast Georgia in our network beyond Sept. 30," according to the spokesperson.
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