Northern Light Health ending contract with Anthem

Northern Light Health says it is ending its contract with Anthem.

Northern Light says it has been in negotiations with Anthem for several months and has a list of concerns and issues it experienced with the insurance giant since then.

According to Northern Light, Anthem’s decision to withhold interim payments for services provided and a cumbersome prior authorization process were leading to unnecessary difficulties for patient care delivery at Northern Light Health.

Northern Light says Elevance Health, which operates Anthem, saw its profits increase more than 9 percent last year, but only increased payments for Northern Light’s service by about 1.5 percent.

Northern Light Health informed Anthem that they will be ending contract negotiations.

If Anthem comes back with a reasonable offer, Northern Light will consider that.

Effective October 1, Northern Light Health will be out of network with Anthem for physicians and some ancillary services, and effective December 31, Northern Light Health will be out of network with Anthem hospital-based services.

In addition, effective January 1, 2026, Northern Light Health system, including hospitals, clinics, and physicians, will be out of network with all Anthem Medicare Advantage Plans.

Emergency care is covered, at the in-network cost-sharing level, no matter the contract status with Anthem.

If patients have questions, they can visit northernlighthealth.org/anthem for more information and details on alternative insurance plans that Northern Light Health accepts. For any other questions, patients can email AnthemQuestions@NorthernLight.org or call Northern Light Health’s dedicated community information line at 1-888-616-0039.

CBS13 has reached out to Anthem for comment and are waiting to hear back.