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COMPTROLLER LEMBO URGES ANTHEM AND HARTFORD HEALTH TO PROTECT THOUSANDS FROM NEEDLESS HEALTH CARE DISRUPTION OR FINANCIAL DISTRESSComptroller Kevin Lembo announced today that he has urged Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Hartford HealthCare Corporation (HHC) to immediately negotiate a fair contract agreement to avoid potentially devastating interruption to health care access and significant financial distress for hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents.
The contract between Anthem and HHC lapsed as of Sunday, putting hundreds of thousands of Anthem consumers and HHC patients at risk of significant financial costs and health care access disruption.
Lembo has been, and remains, in direct communication with leaders at both Anthem and HHC.
In letters to both corporations last week, Lembo said, “If Anthem Blue Cross
and Blue Shield and Hartford HealthCare Corporation fail to reach agreement by
October 1, then - as administrator of the state health plan - I will be forced
to direct more than 50,000 people covered by the State of Connecticut who use
Hartford HealthCare to seek alternative providers.
“I understand that contract negotiations like these have become increasingly
complicated over the years - exacerbated by a volatile and uncertain health care
landscape.
“While the future of federal health care remains unclear, our moral
responsibility to preserve a stable health care system here in Connecticut - one
that delivers quality and affordable care - remains very clear.
“A lapse in contract that disrupts care and poses financially devastating
consequences for all of us who are caught in the middle of your dispute is
unnecessary and unacceptable.
“For the sake of hundreds of thousands here in Connecticut depending on your
leadership, I encourage you to demonstrate to all of us that you recognize the
necessity of both parties working toward an immediate resolution to this
contract dispute.”
In a separate communication to approximately 50,000 people on the state plan who
are both Anthem members and utilize HHC providers, Lembo warned those members
about the possible contract lapse - and the risk of financial costs that HHC may
impose for any treatment provided during that time.
“If these companies fail to resolve and renew their contract by Oct. 1, then HHC
providers will no longer be covered by Anthem’s network - and HHC has indicated
that its providers will pursue the full financial cost of any treatment provided
during that time directly from patients,” Lembo said.
“In past contract disputes and lapses, acute care hospitals have always agreed
to work with the state plan to ensure that health care access to our members is
protected and to hold our members harmless from any potential disruption or
financial impact. However, my office has been notified by HHC that state members
may indeed experience disruption and financial impact this time if they are
unable to resolve their contract dispute with Anthem by Oct.1.”