Adventist HealthAdventist Healthextends contract with Anthem Blue Cross

In a brief statement on Friday, Adventist Health Mendocino Coast announced another two-week extension of Adventist Health’s contract with Anthem Blue Cross.

The contract originally was set to expire on July 18, but was extended two weeks to Aug. 1 while negotiations between Anthem Blue Cross and Adventist Health continued.

Friday’s statement from Adventist Health stated that “Anthem Blue Cross and Adventist Health have agreed to extend the current contract to August 16. Both parties continue to actively negotiate in good faith with the goal of reaching a mutually agreeable agreement. Anthem and Adventist have a long history of partnership and both parties remain committed to a new contract agreement.

“Thank you all for your continued patience; we’re committed to keeping you updated on progress with these negotiations.”

In a June 27 letter to patients, Adventist Health Mendocino Coast stated that “Anthem Blue Cross has been paying Adventist Health at substantially lower rates than other similar payers. This is not sustainable. We are proposing an increase to close the gap between what we are paid by Anthem and similar insurance companies.”

According to the letter, patients who would be affected if the contract were to be terminated are those whose insurance is provided by Anthem Blue Cross of California commercial PPO, HMO, and Medicare Advantage.