Riverside closer to contract with Anthem

Aug. 02--Though a second temporary contract extension with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance was set to expire on July 31, Newport News-based Riverside Health System reported an optimistic outlook for a new contract on Friday.

"We are working under the current extension. While we have not reached a final agreement, we have come to an understanding on major issues," said Shannon Fedors, a spokeswoman for Riverside. But she added, "There are still some significant details to finalize."

Six weeks ago, the tone was decidedly different. At that time, a representative said the company had "been negotiating in good faith for the past 15 months," the original contract having expired in December 2013, and added that Riverside was on course to send a letter of termination to the insurance company.

Anthem, the largest health insurer in Virginia with 3 million subscribers, countered that it expected to reach agreement by the July 31 deadline, citing a "great relationship" with Riverside over a number of years. Reached Friday, Anthem spokesman Scott Golden declined to give any further details about the negotiations.

Previously, he noted that such negotiations are usually private and reimbursement numbers are typically at their heart.

Back in June, Bon Secours Virginia went public with its plans to terminate its physician and facility contracts with the insurer, effective Nov. 7, and sent letters to its providers to that effect. On Friday, Lynne Zultanky, spokeswoman for Bon Secours Hampton Roads, said simply, "We are continuing our talks. There is nothing to report at this time."

Salasky can be reached by phone at 757-247-4784.

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