Northern Light and Anthem have agreed to a thirty-day extension of their contract, almost immediately after their prior contract lapsed, leaving thousands of Mainers out of network from their physicians.
The health care system and insurance provider shared a joint statement earlier this week explaining that the extension is intended to ensure continuity of care for patients as the two keep working toward a long-term agreement.
“Northern Light Health and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) have agreed to extend their existing contract by 30 days as both parties continue working toward a long-term agreement that prioritizes affordability, patient access, and quality of care,” they wrote.
It was also noted in this statement that the two are looking to embed consistent start and end dates in their new contracts to improve clarity for patients.
As a result of this extension, Mainers insured through Anthem’s commercial plans — including both those that are employer-sponsored and individually purchased — will be able to access in-network care at Northern Light facilities through October 31.
For these patients, all hospital care will remain in-network through the end of the year.
All services will continue to be in-network for Medicare Advantage patients until December 31.
Medicare Advantage patients will have until December 7 to choose a new plan or return to original Medicare during the open enrollment period, which begins on October 15.
Regardless of how these negotiations play out, Mainers with Medicare Supplement, or Medigap, plans will be unaffected, as these types of plans do not have network requirements in Maine.
Gov. Janet Mills (D) issued a statement Wednesday responding to the organizations’ decision to adopt this extension.
“Today, I met personally with representatives from Northern Light Health and Anthem after speaking with them by phone earlier this week,” she said. “In our meetings today, I pushed both parties to agree to a 30-day extension to continue contract negotiations, an effort that was successful.”
“While this extension is a better alternative than a lapse, I called on them — as I do again now — to resolve this stalemate and to reach a fair and equitable agreement once and for all,”Gov. Mills continued.
“I made clear to both Northern Light and Anthem that a potential contract termination would be unacceptable and would have devastating impacts for thousands of Maine people, jeopardizing their access to care and needlessly risking their health along with it,” wrote Mills. “That the parties have not yet reached an agreement has already created uncertainty and sent anxiety rippling through the lives of Maine people who are deeply worried about whether they can receive the care they need.”
“Maine people deserve better,” she added. “This needs to come to an end.”
