Stanford terminates contract with Anthem Blue Cross

[juls]

As of Sept. 1 Stanford University Hospital (Which includes Lucile Packard Children's Hospital) terminated their contract with Anthem Blue Cross. They have been in negotiations for a while and it finally came down to this yesterday.  The main sticking point?  Reimbursements.  Anthem is notorious for low reimbursements.<div><br></div><div>So now we're not sure what to do.  Has anyone else been in this situation?  Any opinions on if and how long it might take for them to come to an agreement? (according to news sources the two sides are still talking)</div><div><br></div><div>The information we got from Anthem basically said change providers or be prepared for huge copays.  </div><div><br></div><div>We have already been to other clinics and choose to make the 7 hour drive to Stanford for excellent care for our daughters.</div><div><br></div><div>We carry insurance through both my employer and my husband's, however, because of the 'birthday rule' my insurance (Anthem)  is primary for the kids.  His is still in contract with Stanford, but we're not sure how it will work since the primary is not.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Any advice/words of encouragement would be appreciated.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>

 

[juls]

As of Sept. 1 Stanford University Hospital (Which includes Lucile Packard Children's Hospital) terminated their contract with Anthem Blue Cross. They have been in negotiations for a while and it finally came down to this yesterday. The main sticking point? Reimbursements. Anthem is notorious for low reimbursements.<br>So now we're not sure what to do. Has anyone else been in this situation? Any opinions on if and how long it might take for them to come to an agreement? (according to news sources the two sides are still talking)<br>The information we got from Anthem basically said change providers or be prepared for huge copays. <br>We have already been to other clinics and choose to make the 7 hour drive to Stanford for excellent care for our daughters.<br>We carry insurance through both my employer and my husband's, however, because of the 'birthday rule' my insurance (Anthem) is primary for the kids. His is still in contract with Stanford, but we're not sure how it will work since the primary is not.<br><br><br>Any advice/words of encouragement would be appreciated.<br><br><br><br>

 

[juls]

As of Sept. 1 Stanford University Hospital (Which includes Lucile Packard Children's Hospital) terminated their contract with Anthem Blue Cross. They have been in negotiations for a while and it finally came down to this yesterday. The main sticking point? Reimbursements. Anthem is notorious for low reimbursements.<br>So now we're not sure what to do. Has anyone else been in this situation? Any opinions on if and how long it might take for them to come to an agreement? (according to news sources the two sides are still talking)<br>The information we got from Anthem basically said change providers or be prepared for huge copays. <br>We have already been to other clinics and choose to make the 7 hour drive to Stanford for excellent care for our daughters.<br>We carry insurance through both my employer and my husband's, however, because of the 'birthday rule' my insurance (Anthem) is primary for the kids. His is still in contract with Stanford, but we're not sure how it will work since the primary is not.<br><br><br>Any advice/words of encouragement would be appreciated.<br><br><br><br>

 

[just1more]

My first response would be to take a deep breathe and wait & see.

While it sounds ominous, the fact remains that Stanford can complain about payments till the cows come home, there are not going to give up getting BCBS customers.

This is just political chest puffing IMHO.

On a second note; if your husbands is in network, then they will pay whatever Anthem refused so you *should* not have to change.

 

[just1more]

My first response would be to take a deep breathe and wait & see.

While it sounds ominous, the fact remains that Stanford can complain about payments till the cows come home, there are not going to give up getting BCBS customers.

This is just political chest puffing IMHO.

On a second note; if your husbands is in network, then they will pay whatever Anthem refused so you *should* not have to change.

 

[just1more]

My first response would be to take a deep breathe and wait & see.
<br />
<br />While it sounds ominous, the fact remains that Stanford can complain about payments till the cows come home, there are not going to give up getting BCBS customers.
<br />
<br />This is just political chest puffing IMHO.
<br />
<br />On a second note; if your husbands is in network, then they will pay whatever Anthem refused so you *should* not have to change.

 

[Mommafirst]

I agree with Tom on both counts....this kind of negotiation tactic has happened with providers before and usually its a pretty short term. Its equivalent to a strike/shut out. Blue Cross Blue Shield/Anthem have a lot of customers and a lot of clout.... it will get worked out.

And as far as secondary insurance goes, it should pick up the part your primary won't accept. So even if your copays become out of network, the secondary should pick up the slack.

 

[Mommafirst]

I agree with Tom on both counts....this kind of negotiation tactic has happened with providers before and usually its a pretty short term. Its equivalent to a strike/shut out. Blue Cross Blue Shield/Anthem have a lot of customers and a lot of clout.... it will get worked out.

And as far as secondary insurance goes, it should pick up the part your primary won't accept. So even if your copays become out of network, the secondary should pick up the slack.

 

[Mommafirst]

I agree with Tom on both counts....this kind of negotiation tactic has happened with providers before and usually its a pretty short term. Its equivalent to a strike/shut out. Blue Cross Blue Shield/Anthem have a lot of customers and a lot of clout.... it will get worked out.
<br />
<br />And as far as secondary insurance goes, it should pick up the part your primary won't accept. So even if your copays become out of network, the secondary should pick up the slack.

 

[juls]

Thanks for the responses. I hope they get it resolved, and if not, that at least our other insurance will cover the costs.

 

[juls]

Thanks for the responses. I hope they get it resolved, and if not, that at least our other insurance will cover the costs.

 

[juls]

Thanks for the responses. I hope they get it resolved, and if not, that at least our other insurance will cover the costs.