Anthem, women’s health care practice agree to new insurance contract

Coastal Women’s Healthcare, one of the largest obstetrics and gynecology medical practices in Maine, on Tuesday said it has inked a new contract with Anthem Inc. after previously threatening to stop working with the insurer due to its reimbursement rates.

In May, Coastal said it would not accept new Anthem patients after Aug. 23. The Scarborough-based practice serves 22,000 patients in the state.

That decision followed similar ones, both related to payment disputes, by Maine Medical Center in Portland and Fore River Urology in South Portland.

On Tuesday, Coastal and Anthem, however, said they reached an agreement on a new contract. Terms were not disclosed.

“Our patients and members remained our No. 1 priority as we worked hard and in good faith to find common ground and reach an agreement that protects access to high-quality care for Mainers. We’re pleased to continue our partnership and ensure Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield members have uninterrupted access to Coastal Women’s Healthcare providers,” Barbara Slager, president of Coastal Women’s Healthcare, and Denise McDonough, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine, said in a joint statement.

In April, MaineHealth said its flagship hospital, Maine Medical Center, will stop accepting Anthem coverage in 2023, claiming the health care system was owed more than $70 million for services dating back over three years. Anthem made counterclaims of its own.

MaineHealth’s seven other hospitals in Maine and one in New Hampshire will continue to be part of the Anthem network.

Fore River Urology previously notified patients it will no longer accept Anthem commercial plans as of Aug. 1 and no longer accept Anthem Medicare Advantage plans as of Sept. 1.

Indianapolis-based Anthem (NYSE: ANTM) is one of the nation’s largest health insurance companies. A member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, it provides coverage to people in Maine and 13 other states.