St. Francis, Anthem contract ensures continuum of care for patients

INDIANAPOLIS – The Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Inc. and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana today (Aug. 31) announced a new multiyear contract that will maintain in-network healthcare benefits for policyholders and employer groups throughout Indiana.

The previous contract was set to expire Sept. 1.

The agreement covers the following SSFHS medical facilities and physicians:

· St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers (Indianapolis)
· St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers (Beech Grove)
· St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers (Mooresville)
· St. Elizabeth Regional Health (Lafayette)
· Home Hospital (Lafayette)
· St. Anthony Medical Center (Crown Point)
· St. Anthony Memorial Health Center (Michigan City)
· St. Margaret Mercy Healthcare Center (Hammond)
· St. Margaret Mercy Healthcare Center (Dyer)
· St. Clare Medical Center (Crawfordsville)
· Franciscan Physicians Hospital (Munster)
· Indiana Bone and Marrow Transplantation Unit (Beech Grove)
· More than 300 physicians throughout the SSFHS service areas

Health insurance plans covered are Anthem Blue Access PPO, Anthem Blue Preferred HMO, Anthem Traditional, Anthem Medicare Advantage PPO, Lumenos, Hoosier Healthwise (Indiana Medicaid) and Anthem Healthy Indiana Plan.

“We recognize how difficult this has been for our patients and appreciate their support and patience during the negotiations,” said Jay Brehm, SSFHS regional chief financial officer and chief negotiator for the hospital system. “The agreement we have forged, in the end, ensures our mission to provide patients with the timely and compassionate care they expect and deserve.”

“We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Sisters of St. Francis Health Services because it ensures that our customers will have uninterrupted, in-network access to medical care at SSFHS facilities across Indiana,” said David Lee, M.D., vice president of health services for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “This contract achieves our number one goal of keeping health care affordable for our members.”