Colombia – The negotiation team between MU Health Care and Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield continues to work on new contracts. Healthcare providers and insurance companies did not reach the deadline to maintain the national anthem within MU Health Care’s insurance network prior to the April 1, 2025 deadline. Over 90,000 patients remained away from the network.
Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield officials claimed that MU Healthcare negotiators have sought a 39% increase in rates over the next three years. The MU Healthcare official said that it is not true.
Tonya Johnson, chief operating officer at MU Healthcare, said a 39% rate increase was the first offer. That rate is four times the inflation rate. Johnson said there will be a new low price for the national anthem at the negotiation table.
“We’ve come down quite a bit from that proposal. In fact, we’re making what we’re asking at this point to be a single digit number each year. The fact that 39% keeps throwing is definitely not accurate information,” Johnson said.
Anthem representative claimed that MU Health Care was still seeking a 39% interest rate hike during negotiations. MU Health Care claimed that Anthem was offering a rate increase of 1% to 2%. MU Healthcare authorities said low offers would not cover the costs. The national anthem said MU Healthcare offers coincided with other offers accepted by other Missouri Healthcare systems.
Network changes had no impact on emergency room care or Mizzou Pharmacy. If you have any questions, you can call MU Health Care at 573-650-5409.
