Mount Sinai to exit Anthem network after failed contract talks
This means 9,000 physicians will be out of network for patients effective Jan. 1.
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Hundreds of Long Islanders may have to find new doctors beginning Thursday after Mount Sinai says it has not reached an agreement with insurance carrier Anthem.
"Despite our good-faith efforts to reach an agreement, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has informed us that we will not be able to come to new terms for commercial, Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and Essential Plans before our current contracts expire on Wednesday, Dec. 31," Mount Sinai said in a statement.
This means 9,000 physicians will be out of network for patients effective Jan. 1.
In March, all of Mount Sinai’s hospitals and facilities will be out of network for those with Anthem insurance.
Anthem representatives issued the following statement on Wednesday:
"While we have not been able to reach an agreement with Mount Sinai before tonight’s deadline, Anthem remains committed to affordable care and to protecting members’ access to needed treatment. We continue to work to retain Mount Sinai doctors and facilities in our care network. Patients in active treatment will not lose access to their doctors. Anthem’s Continuity of Care protections ensure that members in an ongoing course of treatment will continue to receive care at in-network coverage levels. Qualifying conditions include medical, mental health, and substance use disorders.
In addition, Anthem has repeatedly asked Mount Sinai to extend its Medicaid contract so our most vulnerable members would not lose access to Mount Sinai physicians. Mount Sinai has declined to do so and has not provided a revised proposal in more than 30 days."
The change will not affect people who are in active treatment for serious conditions, such as cancer or pregnancy. Mount Sinai says it must continue in-network access for those patients for a period of time after the Anthem contract expires.
