Current contracts set to expire March 31; parties hope to reach mutual agreement to prevent disruption to patients

University of Missouri Health Care began notifying patients and partners this week that the health system is working in good faith with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (Anthem) to renew its contracts, set to expire March 31, 2025. These early communications serve to provide ample notice given the system’s extensive network of physicians, advanced practice providers, hospitals and clinics across Missouri.

If the contracts between MU Health Care and Anthem were to expire before an agreement is reached, MU Health Care’s services, physicians, advanced practice providers and facilities would be out of Anthem’s network starting Tuesday, April 1, 2025. This change would apply to Anthem or other Blue Cross Blue Shield plans that patients get through their employer, in addition to Medicare Advantage, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace and HealthLink plans.

“We are doing everything we can to continue our participation in the Anthem network in order to maintain our patients’ in-network access to MU Health Care, but a new, fair network agreement is essential to our ability to provide high-quality, local care to our patients,” said Dr. Steve Whitt, MU Health Care’s chief medical officer. “Physicians and caregivers at MU Health Care wake up every day with the goal of living our mission to save and improve lives. That work is only possible when companies like Anthem step up alongside us through a fair contract that reflects our state’s challenging health care and economic environment.”

MU Health Care is central Missouri’s only academic health system, Level 1 trauma center, Children’s Hospital and is one of only two safety net hospitals in the state providing care to patients in all 144 Missouri counties and beyond. In addition to its network of physicians, hospitals and clinics, the health system plays a critical role in improving access to care in rural communities through strategic partnerships and collaborations across the state.

Patients are encouraged to keep all scheduled appointments and procedures with MU Health Care, and avoid delaying routine health screenings, procedures or important tests. MU Health Care has established a dedicated call center at 573-650-5409, available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST, to answer patient questions or concerns regarding the negotiation. Patients may also call Anthem at the number on the back of their insurance card to let them know their desire to keep access to the hospitals, services and the physicians and providers they know and trust.

A network change would not impact Mizzou Pharmacy retail services, patients with Healthy Blue Medicaid, University of Missouri Student Advantage plans or the delivery of medically necessary emergency care. Additional information and updates on the negotiation are available at muhealth.org/anthem.

Contact: Eric Maze, mazee@health.missouri.edu, 573-884-3656