COLOMBIA – 10 days after MU Healthcare and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield failed to reach the deal, more than 90,000 patients are still losing their network.
Anthem and MU Health Care say they are open to negotiating and want to pursue “meaningful” conversations to reach an agreement.
Anthem says MU Health Care is openly critical of the requested rate increase of 39% over the next three years, four times the inflation rate. MU Health Care Health System Chief Operating Officer Tonya Johnson said 39% was their first offer, with MU Heath Care lowering the requested fee.
“It was just the first proposal,” Johnson said. “We’ve been asking a lot since then.”
Stephanie Timmerman said it took years to bring together a team that could meet all of her son’s needs.
Johnson did not specify how few offers are now. However, in an email to Komu 8 News, an Anthem spokesman claimed 39% were unreasonable.
“The numbers MU Health Care shares are not accurate,” the spokesman said. “The proposed national anthem exceeds the consumer price index (CPI) for each year of a three-year contract – an offer consistent with what other Missouri health systems have accepted. MU Healthcare calls for an absurd 39% increase, particularly for commercial institutions.”
Johnson criticized the national anthem for his low ball at the negotiation table. Johnson said the Anthem offer was simply not enough.
“The 1% to 2% we are being provided by Anthem doesn’t cover the costs of providing care in Missle Central,” Johnson said. “More than last year, it’s up 6% to 8% for almost all modalities.”
MU Health Care claims that the offer fell from the original 39%, but Anthem is solid, a table offer. Anthem said it could not accept the offer as it would undermine the self-funded employer’s ability to provide health care to employees.
“The 39% interest rate increase proposed by MU Health Care will go directly to these employers.
The next negotiations are scheduled for Friday, Johnson said.
