We understand anytime there is a conflict between a health system and its payers, it can cause unease. However, we believe it’s important for you, our patients, to continue asking Anthem to support better access, removal of administrative barriers, commitment to value-based care and appropriate rate increases to cover the rising cost of inflation that we know you feel as well.
For more than six months, we have been in ongoing negotiations with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in Missouri for all commercial, Medicare Advantage, Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, managed Medicaid plans (Healthy Blue) and HealthLink (which falls under the Anthem BCBS umbrella). Unfortunately, Anthem has proved incapable and unwilling to make the necessary changes to advance our relationship and, in many cases, have added to the red tape standing between patients and their care.
We have provided Anthem with written notice that we will not renew our current contracts. Please take a minute to learn how this impacts you - our patients. This link provides background on the issues we are all facing with Anthem. As one of Missouri’s lowest cost and highest quality health care providers, we believe this effort is the right one to better care for you.
Mercy will continue to work with Anthem toward a new contract in hopes to avoid any disruption in coverage for our Missouri patients to keep all Anthem patients in network with Mercy in 2025. We hope for an outcome that supports the high-quality, low-cost care you deserve.
If you are a Missouri resident with Anthem coverage, here is some helpful information:
- Right now, you are still covered to see Mercy and your Mercy physicians for all your care. Our contracts with them don’t officially expire until Dec. 31, 2024. It’s our hope to have everything resolved before it affects you.
- Should these contracts expire without reaching a new agreement, we will work to ensure you receive the continuing care you need.
- We’re simply asking Anthem to change the practices that make it burdensome to get approval.
- If you are a Mercy patient concerned about your Anthem coverage: Contact them and ask them to work in your best interest to preserve access to your Mercy physicians and facilities. As their customer, it will be important for them to hear this from you.
- **Best option: Call the number on your member ID card**
- Visit https://www.anthem.com/mo/contact-us
- Call their customer service line at 1-800-331-1476
