SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Patients with Anthem Blue Cross insurance who get medical care through Scripps Health are waiting to see if they will need to switch medical providers at the start of the new year.
Scripps and Anthem Blue Cross have until Wednesday, Jan. 1 to come to an agreement, or the health system will be considered out-of-network for policyholders. Their current contract expires on Tuesday, Dec. 31. As of Monday, there has been no update from either company on whether an agreement has been met.
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According to a statement by Scripps dated Dec. 18, “Anthem’s current policies create delays, burdens and barriers to patients and their families receiving necessary care.”
Scripps stated, “The cost to pay fair salaries to our staff has increased dramatically, while the prices of drugs, supplies and equipment have grown faster than anything we have experienced this century. To address these economic challenges, it is important that Anthem pay Scripps and its doctors fairly for the care and services we provide…”