Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield extends in-network coverage of UW Health as negotiations continue

UW Health doctors will continue to be in-network providers for patients with health insurance from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield until July 1.

The Madison-based health system and multi-state health insurance company announced in a joint statement Wednesday that they had agreed to an extension of their current agreement, which was set to expire on April 15.

The update comes less than two weeks after UW Health announced its efforts to renegotiate participation in Anthem’s provider network were unsuccessful.

Both companies accused the other of pursuing changes that would hurt access to care for patients.

UW Health claimed in a previous statement that Anthem was offering payment rates below what they pay other Wisconsin hospitals. The health system also said Anthem wants to be able to change payment terms without renegotiation, which UW Health claims could lead to delays or even the denial of care for patients.

But a spokesperson for Anthem called the rate increase sought by UW Health “excessive,” saying it far outpaces the current rate of inflation for care at certain UW Health facilities.

In the joint statement Wednesday, the two companies said they “remain committed to negotiating a new multi-year agreement” to ensure patients with Anthem insurance can continue to receive care at UW hospitals and clinics, UnityPoint Health-Meriter and other affiliated locations.

Patients with Anthem insurance had started to receive notice of a potential termination of in-network coverage, according to the previous statement from UW Health. The network agreement impacts people with commercial insurance as well as those with Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans.