Keeping Healthcare Affordable in Central Ohio
June 16, 2025Important Information for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Members About Our Negotiations with OhioHealth
We’re working to improve access to affordable healthcare in Ohio. Our current contract with OhioHealth expires on July 31, 2025, and we are in negotiating in good faith to keep them in our network beyond that date.
What’s Happening?
Anthem’s network contract with OhioHealth will end on July 31, 2025, with the first day out of network August 1, 2025. This contract sets the prices OhioHealth charges to its patients covered by Anthem. Our goal is to improve healthcare affordability for the patients, employers, and taxpayers that pay for care.
Our Commitment to Affordability
Anthem is dedicated to improving access to high-quality, affordable healthcare for all Ohioans. Here’s why:
- According to KFF surveys, about half of U.S. adults say it’s difficult to afford healthcare costs and, alarmingly, one in four adults delayed needed care because of high costs. Hospital price increases drive up patient costs through higher copayments, deductibles, and insurance premiums.
- Employers are also affected; 80% of Ohio employers pay their employees’ healthcare claims directly – this means that high healthcare costs put them at a disadvantage vs. other parts of the state and the nation. High costs can limit wages, hiring, investment, and growth.
That’s why we negotiate on behalf of our members and central Ohio employers to secure affordable care at OhioHealth and all our provider partners.
Commitment to Keeping OhioHealth in Our Networks
Anthem and OhioHealth continue to work collaboratively to reach a new, long-term agreement. We want OhioHealth to remain in our network and are confident we will reach a new agreement before our current contract ends on July 31, 2025.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What should I do now?
Continue seeking care at OhioHealth as you have in the past. OhioHealth is in Anthem’s network through at least July 31, 2025, and we’re confident we will reach an agreement that keeps them in network for years to come.
Please continue to check this website for updates. We will provide more information as negotiations continue.
Will an agreement be reached to keep OhioHealth in Anthem’s network?
We’re optimistic a new agreement will be reached, and that’s what we’re working toward. We want to keep OhioHealth in our network because we know our members receiving care at OhioHealth depend on their doctors and hospitals. However, it’s important that we work with OhioHealth to make care more affordable for their patients covered by Anthem.
What are my options if OhioHealth leaves Anthem’s network?
Provider networks vary by plan. In the event OhioHealth chooses to leave our network, members have access to high-quality care from other central Ohio care providers, which are in network for most health plans. These include:
- Columbus:
- Mount Carmel Health System
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (in-network for members in employer-based PPO plans only)
- Central Ohio Primary Care
- Outside of Columbus:
- Memorial Health System (Washington County)
- Mercy Health - Springfield Regional Medical Center (Clark County)
- Memorial Hospital of Union (Union County)
- Fairfield Medical Center (Fairfield County)
- Avita Health System (Crawford, Morrow, and Richland Counties)
- Lima Memorial Hospital (Allen County)
- Knox Community Hospital (Knox County)
- Hocking Valley Community Hospital (Hocking County)
- And numerous other hospitals and physician practices across the state
We always recommend you login to anthem.com or the Sydney Health app to find in-network care providers near you. You may also contact our Member Service Center at the number on your Anthem ID card for assistance.
What if I’m being treated at OhioHealth for a serious condition?
We know this is especially concerning for our members currently receiving care at OhioHealth for a serious medical condition. That’s why we’re taking steps to help in the event OhioHealth leaves our network. We are proactively contacting our members currently in treatment for serious and complex conditions to assist with care options, including continuing care with their current OhioHealth provider for a limited time.
Any Anthem member receiving treatment for a serious or complex condition that will continue past July 31, 2025, may contact our Member Service Center at the number on their Anthem ID card. You may be able to continue your care at OhioHealth for a limited time after that date if you are receiving certain types of care.
What should I do if I need emergency medical care from OhioHealth?
Members should always call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room in a life-threatening situation. We will provide coverage for emergency care based on your policy benefits at in-network cost shares.
Who will be impacted?
If we cannot reach an agreement with OhioHealth by July 31, 2025, Anthem members in all health plans will be impacted.
Please note that Anthem Medicare Supplement plans are not impacted.
Where can I go for information and updates?
We will update this website as negotiations continue. You can also login to anthem.com or the Sydney Health app or contact our Member Service Center at the number on your Anthem ID card for assistance.
