Brewer, Maine-based Northern Light Health and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield have agreed to extend coverage until Oct. 31, according to a joint statement shared with Becker’s.
The news follows a tumultuous mediation attempt.
“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,” the statement said. “Both parties will also explore the possibility for their new contracts to have consistent start and end dates, to help ensure clarity for our patients and members.”
Despite not reaching an agreement by their Oct. 1 deadline, the organizations said previously that contract negotiations would continue.
Without the extension, Northern Light Health physicians and medical providers would have been out of network for Anthem commercial insurance plans. Under the extension, hospital-based services still will remain in network through the end of the year, and Medicare Advantage patients will continue to have access until 2026.
Becker’s will update this story if more information becomes available.
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