OSU Wexner, Anthem reach insurance deal

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A deal has been reached between the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield to continue coverage for 110,000 Anthem-insured patients. 

The agreement, announced Monday, will allow those patients covered with commercial Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield to maintain in-network coverage at both the Wexner and the James Cancer Hospital. However, Ohio State patients with Anthem Medicare Advantage will lose their in-network coverage starting Jan. 1 due to the two sides not being able to reach an agreement.  

According to a statement from Ohio State, Anthem Medicare Advantage patients who wish to continue their Ohio State treatment will have a chance to change to another Medicare Advantage plan during open enrollment, which starts Jan. 1 and runs through March 31, 2025. For more information, visit the Wexner Medical Center’s website by clicking here.  

Ohio State did not announce how long the agreement was for, but said that it was a “multi-year” deal. The new agreement begins on Jan. 1. 

Any commercially insured patients who canceled or rescheduled appointments are encouraged to reach out to their providers to resume their care. 

When contacted earlier in December, both sides said negotiations boiled down to costs. Anthem said OSU wanted to increase prices at three times the inflation rate, while Ohio State said Anthem had been underpaying for years and OSU was asking for appropriate rate increases.

Details on the agreement are not readily available.