Hospital still negotiating with Anthem Blue Cross

Carson-Tahoe Hospital wants folks to know it's not over yet between the hospital and Anthem Blue Cross.

While the insurance company set a contract termination date of March 12, the hospital has been working diligently to reverse the decision, according to hospital Chief Operating Officer Kevin Stansbury.

"We have been in daily contact with Anthem management in Denver and Las Vegas in order to work this out for our community," he said. "It's obvious that this is purely a business decision for Anthem Blue Cross."

Carson-Tahoe Hospital has had an automatically renewed contract with Anthem since 1994, according to Richard Linkul, the hospital's director of marketing.

He called the insurance carrier's announcement a "no-notice, unilateral decision to terminate the contract.

"Anthem is a huge company. They're not from this area --Emaybe they don't understand the distances," he said, referring to folks who would have to drive to Washoe Medical Center or Barton Memorial Hospital if Anthem terminates its contract in Carson. The move would affect about 1,400 Carson-area residents.

According to a hospital report, Anthem had a net income of $549.1 million in 2002.

A spokesperson for Anthem in Denver, Sally Vogler, said the company is pleased talks are ongoing.

"Anthem is very pleased to be back in negotiation with C-TH and we are really hoping to see a very positive resolution on the contract and hoping it will happen before the 12th," she said.

She said there is still a chance the two will work out a solution.

"We still have, what? A week? That's a long time to talk."

If an agreement is not made, the hospital has established a hotline for affected members to call. Representatives will answer calls at 885-4727 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday to field questions about the situation with Anthem.

Even if Anthem does cancel its contract with the hospital patients will not be turned away, according to Stansbury. "It is important that affected community members know that emergency services will be covered."

For Your Information

Anthem Blue Cross plan holders who may be affected by a terminated contract with Carson-Tahoe Hospital can call a help line from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 885-4727.