November 4, 2024
Dear valued patients and family members:
For months, Providence has been negotiating with Anthem Blue Cross for fair and sustainable reimbursement rates to cover the cost of care for our Anthem members and pay our doctors, nurses and caregivers for the essential services they provide to our patients and communities. At this time, we have yet to come to an agreement.
We know you rely on Providence to keep you and your family healthy. Every day we are hard at work to make care more accessible and affordable for everyone we serve. Yet, we face serious challenges. Health systems across the country and in our community, including Providence, are experiencing rapidly rising costs of care caused by inflation, labor shortages, wage increases and supply disruption.
Here are three key things to know:
- Anthem will soon be sending a letter stating you may be reassigned to a non-Providence provider as your newly assigned primary care provider.
- We encourage you to talk to your human resources department, insurance broker or Anthem directly to express your questions or concerns. You can find their customer service number on the back of your member ID card or login to their member portal.
- Patients with Anthem health insurance might become out of network with their Providence hospitals, clinics and physicians if our contract is not renewed on January 1, 2025. (Note: If you are a CalPERS PPO member, please disregard this letter as this negotiation does not include CalPERS PPO.)
We understand these negotiations can be upsetting and are difficult for our patients. We are continuing to work with Anthem in good faith to resolve this matter and remain hopeful we will reach an agreement, in which case there will be no need for you to take any action.
Thank you for entrusting us with your care and we look forward to updating you soon. For up-to-date news and information regarding our negotiations, please visit providence.org/ca-negotiations.
Sincerely,
Providence