Anthem Medicare Advantage members in Ohio could lose Cleveland Clinic as an in-network provider on Jan. 1, 2027 if the health system and the insurer do not sign a contract by Dec. 31. Cleveland Clinic says every one of its facilities and providers in Ohio would be out of network for those plans, and that nothing changes while talks continue. Medicare’s annual enrollment period, the main chance to change plans for Jan. 1, closes Dec. 7, which is 24 days before the contract runs out.
That order of dates is the whole problem for patients. A plan switch has to be made before anyone knows whether Anthem and Cleveland Clinic reach a deal, so the decision rests on how much a person depends on the hospital and its doctors.
Where the Anthem and Cleveland Clinic talks stand
Cleveland Clinic’s insurance page says the system is engaged in good-faith discussions with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and that, right now, nothing changes. If no agreement is reached, Cleveland Clinic facilities and providers in Ohio leave Anthem’s network on Jan. 1, 2027. The page puts the goal this way: “to reach an agreement that keeps Cleveland Clinic in network.”…