Anthem Blue Cross has terminated its agreement with UC Health, including UCLA Health, jeopardizing in-network access to care for millions of Californians. It is Anthem’s decision alone to terminate the agreement without cause. If a new agreement is not in place by February 29, 2024, UCLA Health will be considered out-of-network beginning March 1, 2024, for the following Anthem-covered patients:
- Patients who selected an Anthem Blue Cross plan through the California Public Employees’ Retirement System
- Patients who selected an Anthem Blue Cross plan through their employer
- Patients who purchased an Anthem plan in the Covered California marketplace
- Patients with Medicare Advantage plans administered by Anthem Blue Cross
- Patients with Medi-Cal plans administered by Anthem Blue Cross
- UC medical residents and fellows who are enrolled in the Anthem UC Medical Residents and Fellows HMO plan
This termination does not affect the in-network availability of UC Health facilities and providers for UC employees, UC students with UC SHIP coverage, UC medical residents and clinical fellows in the Anthem UC Medical Residents and Fellows PPO plan or UC retirees. Their health plans are governed by separate UC-Anthem agreements. At UCLA Health, Vivity patients are also excluded from this termination.
What Does This Mean?
If UCLA Health is excluded from Anthem Blue Cross’s network beginning on March 1, 2024, patients with Anthem Blue Cross health plans could face significantly higher out-of-pocket expenses – or even find that Anthem Blue Cross will no longer cover their health care costs through UCLA Health at all.
You can still see your doctor and receive treatments at UCLA Health until February 29, 2024, without any changes. Your existing card is valid through February 29, even if Anthem Blue Cross assigns you to a medical group other than UCLA Health and issues you a new insurance card. You are important to us, and we look forward to continuing to serve you with exceptional care.
What does the transfer notice I received from Anthem Blue Cross mean?
Recently, Anthem Blue Cross initiated a process to transfer tens of thousands of its HMO members away from UC Health to other primary care providers selected by Anthem without asking its HMO members. These transfers for HMO patients will be effective after the February 29, 2024, expiration of our agreement.
Can I continue my current treatment plan with UCLA Health?
If you have been receiving care from a health care provider, you may have a right to keep your provider for a designated time period. Please contact your health plan’s customer service department. If you have further questions, you are encouraged to contact the Department of Managed Health Care, which protects consumers, by telephone at its toll-free number, 1-888-466-2219, or at a TDD number for the hearing and speech impaired at 1-877-688-9891, or online at www.dmhc.ca.gov.
What Are We Doing?
We will continue to do our part to negotiate with Anthem in an effort to secure a new agreement. A new agreement would allow you to continue to receive health care from us without interruptions or added costs. As a trusted local care provider, we have a responsibility to ensure we are in the best position to provide high-quality care to our patients and community members. UCLA Health needs a fair agreement with Anthem to maintain the standard of care you rely on. We are urging Anthem to protect the care you deserve.
What Can You Do?
We encourage all patients with Anthem Blue Cross coverage to call the member services number on the back of their insurance card and urge the company to do its part to reach a fair agreement with UC Health locations to continue providing care to Anthem Blue Cross members. Patients may also call the Anthem Blue Cross customer service number at 844-971-0117.
If you are a patient with an Anthem Blue Cross HMO plan and have been notified by the insurer that your care will be transitioned, the company’s Continuity of Care form is available here on Anthem’s website. This form must be completed and returned to Anthem Blue Cross to request continued access to your current UCLA Health care team.
If you are a patient with an Anthem Blue Cross PPO coverage, you also may be eligible for Continuity of Care services, as determined by Anthem, even if you haven’t received a transfer notice from Anthem. Anthem’s Continuity of Care form is available here on the company’s website.
What are Continuity of Care services?
State law provides patients the opportunity to continue care related to certain medical conditions if your provider is no longer in your health plan. Examples of patients who may be eligible for Continuity of Care services include patients who are pregnant, newborn children between birth and 36 months, patients who are awaiting a transplant or have received a transplant, patients who have a previously scheduled surgery or procedure, and patients who have certain acute conditions, serious chronic medical conditions, or terminal illnesses. More details are on the California Department of Managed Health Care website.
How do I apply for Continuity of Care services?
Call the member services number on the back of your Anthem Blue Cross insurance card to discuss your options. You can also call the company’s customer service number at 844-971-0117. The insurer’s Continuity of Care form is available here on Anthem’s website. This form must be completed and returned to Anthem Blue Cross to request continued access to your current UCLA Health care team.
(UCLA Health representatives at 310-301-8700 are ready to work with you to address questions that may arise when completing these forms. You can also reach out to your UCLA Health physician’s office.)