Stanford, Lucile Packard Hospitals Agree to New Contract With Anthem
Stanford Hospital & Clinics and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital have reached a deal with Anthem Blue Cross on a new three-year contract, the Palo Alto Daily News reports.
Background
A contract between the hospitals and Anthem was terminated on Sept. 1 (Dremann, Palo Alto Daily News, 11/2). In a letter sent to patients, Anthem said patients might have to pay higher out-of-pocket costs for treatment and could have some claims denied.
On Sept. 15, the hospitals announced they would continue to honor Anthem rates that were part of the expired contract (Eslinger, San Jose Mercury News, 11/3).
Few Details of New Contract
Neither the hospitals nor the insurer immediately provided details of the new contract.
The agreement is retroactive to Sept. 1, meaning patients will not be charged higher rates for services provided during the period when there was not a contract in place (Palo Alto Daily News, 11/2).
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