Parkview Health and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield have extended their current contract as they continue to negotiate a new agreement. The contract was set to end on July 31 but has been extended to August 16. Jessica Foor, Vice President of Communications and Creative Services at Parkview Health, said, “While we have made progress with Anthem, an agreement has not been finalized.” She stated that more information will be shared in the coming weeks as negotiations proceed.
Parkview Health is working to reach a new agreement that will ensure continued high-quality care for patients covered by Anthem. This includes those under commercial plans from the ACA Marketplace and employer-sponsored plans, as well as Medicare Advantage and Medicaid health plans. The negotiations have significant implications for patients seeking care at Parkview facilities in Indiana.
If a new agreement is not reached by August 16, Anthem subscribers may face higher out-of-network costs for services at Parkview facilities. Parkview’s website advises patients to stay informed and notes that the organization is committed to making healthcare more affordable and accessible for the communities it serves. The situation is concerning for local families like Cristina Ray-Durnell’s, whose son Dominic was diagnosed with leukemia in January.
Dominic has been receiving treatment from Parkview and Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. Without an agreement, he would be out of network at Parkview. Cristina said, “Since they wouldn’t be in the network, we would most likely have to travel to Riley Children’s Hospital because they do accept Anthem.
Parkview, Anthem contract extension details
So, they would be in-network and would not be as costly as if we were still getting treated at Parkview.” This would result in every appointment being in Indianapolis, which is not financially feasible for the family. Cristina also worries about the impact on Dominic’s comfort and care.
He has formed bonds with the nurses at Parkview, who are familiar with his needs. “His fear is that he feels comfortable with them now, he’s got a relationship with all of them, they know what he likes and doesn’t like, how to access his port and de-access his port. That scares him a little bit to possibly be under the care and meet different nurses,” says Cristina.
PFW professor Beth Keller, who has a chronic autoimmune condition, is also worried about the contract negotiations. She says that on top of transitioning to teaching online because of the coronavirus, the uncertainty about her healthcare has added tremendous stress. Keller says her options include continuing to see the doctors she likes but paying more because they would be out of network or finding a healthcare provider who is an hour or two hours away who may or may not take health insurance.
She’s also concerned that since many people in the region have Anthem insurance and might have to pay more to continue seeing their doctors, it could mean fewer available dollars to spend on other things. A statement from Purdue Fort Wayne says administrators remain optimistic that negotiations will lead to a satisfactory resolution. The contract between Anthem and Parkview is set to expire on July 28.
This is a developing story, and many families are waiting anxiously for updates.
