Latest news with #AnthemBlueCross
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bill heading to Pritzker's desk to prevent time limit on anesthesia
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Illinois lawmakers passed a bill that would prevent insurance companies from putting time limits on anesthesia coverage to protect patients from financial burden. This comes after the fall of 2024, when Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield tried do just that in New York, Missouri and Connecticut by tying payments to the length of time a patient was under anesthesia. In other words, they would stop covering the patient after an arbitrary length of time, and the rest of the anesthesia would be billed to the patient directly. Illinois may update missing person database policy with bill in Statehouse Now, that bill has passed both the House and the Senate with bipartisan support and is heading to Governor JB Pritzker's desk. This would cover anesthesia regardless of how long the procedure takes. The bill's sponsor in the House, Rep. William Hauter (R-Morton), who is a physician and anesthesiologist himself, said this will make sure it cannot be tried in Illinois. 'So, this is outrageous, it's just another tactic that we see insurance companies using to reduce coverage or to deny payments to people,' Hauter said. 'That's not how things work. Just another way to put profits over patients and so we put a stop to it.' Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield reversed their policy on the issue after public outcry, saying it was misinformation. Bill preventing AI instructors in Illinois community college courses passes Senate Sen. Doris Turner (D-Decatur) who carried the bill in the Senate, said people have been taken advantage of for far too long. 'Instead of lining their own pockets, let's put patients' health first,' Turner said. 'Under this plan, people can rest assured that a time limit can't be put on anesthesia services, requiring patients to pay the cost.' If the governor signs the bill into law, it will take effect next year for all insurances. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Business Wire
21-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Resurgens Orthopaedics Announce Multi-Year Contract
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield announced today a new, multi-year provider network agreement with Resurgens Orthopaedics, the largest independent orthopedic practice in Georgia. With nearly 100 physicians across the Atlanta metro area, Resurgens Orthopaedics serves residents of Georgia and the southeast with patient-focused orthopedic and spine care. 'Our continued partnership with Resurgens Orthopaedics reinforces our commitment to complete musculoskeletal care for our members,' said Robert Bunch, President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia. 'Resurgens Orthopaedics shares our dedication to whole health and serving members across their health journey as seen in their comprehensive care offerings from injury diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation and imaging services.' As part of the agreement, the two organizations will enhance their collaboration on initiatives focusing on clinical data integration and digital connectivity to streamline processes, reduce administrative burdens, and facilitate efficient, patient-centered care. These efforts aim to drive improved health outcomes, benefiting Resurgens patients covered by Anthem health plans. 'We are excited to continue our valued partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia,' said Raj Bhole, MD, Chairman of Resurgens Orthopaedics. 'With 25 office locations, Resurgens Orthopaedics is able to provide Anthem members convenient access to high-quality musculoskeletal care and sub-specialty trained physicians in the communities where they live and work.' About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Anthem is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is available at Also, follow us at @anthemBCBS on X or on LinkedIn. About Resurgens Resurgens Orthopaedics was founded in 1986 by Dr. John Garrett. In 1999, seven independent physician groups merged to form one practice under the existing name of Resurgens Orthopaedics. Since then, Resurgens Orthopaedics has grown to be one of the largest and most respected orthopedic practices in the country. With nearly 100 physicians and 25 locations across the Atlanta area, Resurgens serves residents of Georgia, the southeast and beyond with excellent, innovative, patient-focused orthopedic care. With deep roots in its communities, Resurgens Orthopaedics provides comprehensive operative and non-operative musculoskeletal care in a single practice, from injury diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation and imaging services. It offers a combination of specialized expertise and broad experience that includes the areas of sports medicine, joint replacement, trauma care and orthopedic surgery of all kinds. Resurgens is a leader in using minimally invasive techniques and is on the forefront of proven technologies, including orthobiologics.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
App hopes to help maternal health, birth outcomes in Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Feeling a baby's kick is one of the most fascinating and beautiful parts of pregnancy. In your third trimester, those kicks are important to keep track of. 'A change in a baby's movements in the third trimester are an urgent warning sign, or an early red flag, that something might be going wrong in pregnancy,' said Emily Price. Richmond police officers join 300 mile Unity Tour App hopes to help maternal health, birth outcomes in Kentucky Lexington Catholic students react to first American pope Price is the CEO of Healthy Birth Day, Inc., a non-profit aiming to prevent stillbirth through education, advocacy, and research. 'Count the Kicks' is one way they're doing that. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky is partnering with the program. 'Count the Kicks' is an app that can be downloaded on both the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store and is available in more than 20 languages. Once downloaded, users can go into it and tap the footprint icon every time they feel the baby move in their bellies. 'What we want expectant parents to do is, every day in the third trimester, have your daily kick-counting session. It's where you get to know your baby's normal movement patterns,' said Price. 'The app is going to show you a graph of what your baby's normal movement is.' Lexington eatery makes OpenTable's 'Top 100 Brunch Restaurants' in the US Study: Kentucky is the toughest state to own an EV in Study: It costs over $200K to raise a child over 18 years in Kentucky Price told FOX 56 that the app is saving lives. Research gathered by Count the Kicks found that in Kentucky, 311 babies on average are lost to stillbirth. This app could reduce that number by one-third. 'We've now saved babies' lives in 37 states and in seven countries,' said Price. 'We know that if we could reduce Kentucky's stillbirth rate by a third, like we've done in Iowa, that's more than 100 babies' lives that can be saved every single year in Kentucky.' Price isn't just urging expectant parents to take these steps just based on data; she knows firsthand how lifesaving monitoring your baby's movements as they approach the end of pregnancy can be. Latest central Kentucky weather forecast 'This saved my son's life, 15 years ago, actually… I was in very active, early preterm labor at 30 weeks along. And the only reason I knew I was in preterm labor is because his movements changed, and I spoke up and told my doctor,' she said. Price told FOX 56 that Mother's Day is an important day to spread the message to be in tune with your body during pregnancy and to not be afraid to speak up if something seems off. Read more of the latest health and wellness news 'Our goal is, especially on this Mother's Day, is to get even more stories like that where moms feel empowered to pay attention, to speak up if they notice a change, and help get their baby here safely,' she said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scripps Health announces extension of contract with Anthem Blue Cross
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — People insured under Anthem Blue Cross will once again have in-network access to Scripps Health's hospitals and medical providers after the two entities agreed to extend contracts. In an announcement by Scripps on Tuesday, the health system said they have agreed to extend in-network contracts until Sept. 30, 2026, effective immediately. San Diego-based Aya Healthcare announces death of founder Alan Braynin The move comes after several months of failed negotiations between Scripps and the insurance company, following the expiration of their previous contract on Dec. 31. The two entities did not reach an agreement by midnight on Jan. 1, thus putting Scripps Health's hospitals, outpatient clinics and physicians out-of-network for approximately 125,000 patients in California who were covered by Anthem Blue Cross. In its update Tuesday, Scripps announced it will work with the insurance company to negotiate a 'new, sustainable, long-term agreement that ensures patients can access Scripps through an Anthem network.' 'We recognize the past four months have been difficult for our Anthem Blue Cross patients and our physicians, and we have been doing all we can to reach this extension term, and, ultimately, a longer-term agreement,' Scripps stated. 'We are pleased Scripps Health has rejoined our local network of care providers in San Diego and we look forward to continuing our partnership,' said Beth Andersen, President Anthem Commercial Health Plans in California. 'Our members and employer customers remained our number one priority as we worked hard and in good faith to find common ground and reach a new agreement with Scripps.' The terms of the contract extension are 'effective immediately,' the health system said, again allowing Anthem members in-network access to Scripps' health services. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Advancing Awareness and Equity: Leaders Discuss Black History and Community Initiatives
Presented by: Centric Health During Studio 17's Black History Month special, local leaders emphasized the importance of awareness, diversity and supporting African American initiatives within the community. Joining the conversation were Michael Bowers, vice president of public and government affairs at Centric Health, and Les Ybarra, president of California Medicaid at Anthem Blue Cross. For Bowers, a Bakersfield native, these discussions are key to breaking stereotypes and fostering inclusion. 'Black history is American history,' Bowers said. 'When we say, 'We the people,' that means all people. Conversations like this help us move forward by challenging misconceptions and increasing understanding.' Ybarra echoed the importance of education and action in achieving meaningful change. 'At Anthem Blue Cross, our purpose is to improve the health of humanity,' he said. 'That takes leadership, partnerships and a commitment to serving the communities that need it most.' Health disparities remain a critical issue for African Americans, particularly in underserved areas. Bowers pointed out that parts of Bakersfield, including the neighborhood where he grew up, still lack basic healthcare services such as pharmacies, urgent care centers and behavioral health resources. 'Accessibility is a major challenge,' Bowers said. 'We're still seeing significant gaps in care, especially in communities of color.' Ybarra stressed the importance of addressing these disparities by focusing on whole-person care, particularly in maternal and child health, behavioral health and chronic disease management. 'We have a responsibility to ensure care is available at the right time and place,' he said. 'That means providing resources, reducing disparities and meeting people where they are.' As Black History Month concludes, both leaders underscored the need for ongoing conversations and action. 'We need to keep coming back, year after year, to talk about these issues,' Bowers said. 'That's how we drive progress and create lasting change.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
