Bon Secours, Anthem resolve dispute

Published 8:55 pm Monday, September 8, 2014

Patients covered by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield will receive “uninterrupted service” at Bon Secours Health Center at Harbour View and other Bon Secours facilities after an announcement Monday that the health system will remain in the insurer’s network.

The news follows protracted negotiations between the two over a new contract. According to Bon Secours Hampton Roads Chief Executive Michael Kerner, speaking near the end of June — when the health system went public with the dispute — an Anthem proposal would have dramatically reduced total reimbursements.

Bon Secours subsequently terminated its physician and facility contracts with Anthem, which would have seen fees rise for Anthem-covered patients starting Nov. 7.

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But the relationship appears to have been mended, according to officials from both companies.

According to Monday’s joint announcement — in a news release on Anthem’s website — Bon Secours will remain in Anthem’s network “as a participating provider system and … a contractual framework has been developed for a continued relationship between the two parties.”

The agreement covers all Bon Secours facilities, physicians and allied and ancillary providers in Hampton Roads and Richmond, according to the news release. No further details of the terms were given.

“Anthem and Bon Secours have enjoyed a long relationship, and we are pleased that we will continue that relationship into the future,” Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield President C. Burke King stated.

“Anthem’s continued partnership with Bon Secours is a positive outcome for the hospital system, area physicians, and most importantly, Anthem’s members in the Richmond and Hampton Roads communities.”

CEO Peter J. Bernard said Bon Secours Virginia “looks forward to a strong and continued partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.”

“By securing this next step, Bon Secours will remain in Anthem’s networks, which means that our patients have uninterrupted service,” he stated.

“In addition, with this agreement it allows Anthem members to continue to have access to compassionate care from quality physicians, nurses and medical staff.”