A little more than two weeks after telling a state Senate committee they have “never been close” to an agreement, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and University of Missouri Health Care have restored a network arrangement suspended since April 1.
The failure to reach an agreement before the previous contract expired left about 90,000 people in central Missouri unable to obtain services except at the higher out-of-network cost. In a statement issued late Tuesday, Dr. Stevan Whitt, chief medical officer at MU Heath, said the agreement applies retroactively to April 1.
“The renewed partnership ensures continued access to quality, local care while protecting affordability for the people and communities both organizations serve,” Whitt said.
The Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan, which covers state workers and some local government employees, said the agreement reopens health care options to its covered population.
“We recognize the impact this may have had on you and your family, and MCHCP worked diligently to encourage an agreement between MU Health Care and Anthem,” the statement read. “Our leadership team met with both Anthem and MU Health Care to express the urgency of completing an agreement and remained in regular contact with them to emphasize how much their dispute affected our members.”
State Senate President Cindy O’Laughlin became upset with the impasse and asked for the hearing, which took place June 30. After the hearing, she posted on social media that both sides met privately later and progress was possible.
“Suffice it to say people are paying more through their deductibles and co-pays and for those who are challenged with severe health issues the situation we addressed today has made everything worse,” she wrote.
In a joint news release, MU Health and Anthem said the new agreement covers all providers and facilities and is in-network for Anthem’s commercial health plan members and those who have individual marketplace plans.
The new agreement will not include Anthem’s Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans, the release said.
“Anthem remains committed to protecting access to care while ensuring affordability for our members,” Stephanie Vojicic, president of Anthem, said in the release. “We’re pleased that both parties have come together with a shared commitment to our communities and a renewed focus on doing what’s right for the people we serve.”
