Patients at Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health with Anthem Blue Cross health plans will need to seek care elsewhere if the payer and health system fail to agree on a new contract by July 18, the San Joaquin Valley Sun reported July 13.
"Anthem is one of our lowest paying health plans, and we can’t continue to provide quality care for patients at significantly reduced rates," Adventist said in a June 16 post on its website.
Adventist said in the post its commitment to the underserved has resulted in multiple years of negative operating financial performance.
"As a system, Adventist Health provides a hospital network across California and must have rate increases that support overall expenses that continue to exceed the reimbursement we receive," the provider said.
In an emailed statement, an Anthem Blue Cross spokesperson told the Sun that it has offered Adventist "reasonable increases that are in line with what other provider partners receive for the same services, which will help keep healthcare affordable for those we serve."
"Our hope is to reach an agreement with Adventist prior to the current contract expiring, but if our efforts continue to be rebuked, we will work closely with our members to ensure they have access to quality care from any one of the many care providers in our network," the statement said.