The 400,000 patients at Atlanta-based Northside Hospital System with Anthem insurance will remain in network "until further order," a judge ruled April 13 according to NBC affiliate WXIA.
The judge determined that Northside and Anthem must take their dispute before the Georgia Department of Insurance, according to the station.
The dispute began in 2021 when Anthem notified Northside that it wanted to change its contract, alleging that Northside charged more than most metro hospitals, according to the station. Northside said the contract was not up for renewal and argued a Georgia bill signed into law during the pandemic prohibited payers from terminating a provider's in-network coverage for up to 150 days after a public health emergency.
The sides are required to provide the court with an update on the insurance department's review no later than June 15, according to the judge's order.
The judge previously extended the contract through April 15.