Just over a month after their previous deal expired, Anthem and Dignity Health, based in San Francisco, signed a new multi-year arrangement. Patients who sought care at other facilities can return to Dignity and those who provided Anthem with continuity of care paperwork can continue as usual.
- Multi-year deal: Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, and Arroyo Grande Community Hospital is all Dignity Health institution. The multi-year deal goes into effect on July 15th and lasts through April 2025.
- Efforts: “We are pleased to continue working with Dignity. While we understand this wasn’t easy for consumers, it was necessary for us to stand firm as part of our efforts to help slow the sharp rise in health care costs,” said John Pickett, Regional Vice President of Provider Solutions, Anthem Blue Cross.
- Rates: Anthem previously said Dignity’s rates were some of the highest in California, and that a proposed rate increase in a new contracts between the two organizations would negatively impact customers. Dignity contended that the rate increases proposed were less than inflation.
- Effective relations: “We value our relationships with providers, which are important to creating choices for our consumers and fulfilling our mission of improving lives and communities. Our members remained our number one priority as we worked hard and in good faith to find common ground and reach an agreement with Dignity that helps protect affordability”, said Pickett.
- Collaborations: “We deeply appreciate the patience of our patients, employers, and physicians as we have worked through this process,” Dignity Health Medical Foundation CEO Dr. Robert Quinn said in the statement. “From the beginning, our goal in working with Anthem has always been about ensuring we can continue to meet the needs of our patients today and in the future. This agreement ensures we can continue to providing value-driven care for Anthem members.”