Important Information for Patients with Anthem Blue Cross Health Insurance Plans
Anthem Blue Cross has terminated its agreement with UC Health, including UC San Diego 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, UC San Diego 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 Blue Cross plan in the Covered California marketplace
- Patients with Medicare Advantage plans administered by Anthem Blue Cross
- Patients with Medi-Cal (managed Medicaid) plans administered by Anthem Blue Cross
- UC medical residents and clinical fellows who are enrolled in the Anthem UC Medical Residents and Fellows HMO plan
* This date reflects a two-month extension of the termination date. While this date has changed, the overall agreement with Anthem Blue Cross remains under negotiation, and UC San Diego Health continues to be deeply concerned about access to UC care for Anthem Blue Cross members.
NOTE FOR UC EMPLOYEES, STUDENTS, MEDICAL RESIDENTS / FELLOWS AND RETIREES: This termination does not affect in-network availability of UC Health facilities and providers for UC employees who enroll with UC Care, UC Health Savings or Core; 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.
What Does This Mean?
If UC San Diego 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 UC San Diego Health at all.
You can still see your doctor and get treatments at UC San Diego Health until February 29, 2024, without any changes. You are important to us, and we look forward to continuing to serve you with exceptional care.
What Are We Doing?
In the months ahead, 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. UC San Diego 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?
Although nothing is changing before March 1, 2024, you can look for an alternate plan during your open enrollment period to ensure you can continue to access care from UC San Diego Health and avoid potentially increased co-pays and disruptions in 2024:
- If you are a patient with a Medicare Advantage, Medi-Cal, or Exchange plan, you may choose to consider your options during your open enrollment period beginning October 15.
- People who purchase their health plan through Covered California can review plan choices during open enrollment from November 1 through January 31.
- Anthem patients who get their insurance from their employer typically have open enrollment periods in the fall during which they can review health plan options.
UC San Diego Health is in network with the following health insurance plans for the 2024 benefit year:
- All Accepted Plans
- Accepted Medicare Plans – including Medicare Advantage
- Accepted Medi-Cal Plans
- Accepted Covered California Plans